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Kidnapping children lesser evil than killing soldiers — Gumi
Kidnapping a “Lesser Evil” Than Killing Soldiers — Sheikh Gumi Defends Negotiation With Bandits
Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has sparked fresh controversy after describing the kidnapping of schoolchildren as a “lesser evil” compared to the killing of soldiers, insisting that negotiation with bandits remains the only pragmatic path to ending violence in northern Nigeria.
Gumi made the remarks during an interview with the BBC on Tuesday, where he argued that although abducting minors is unquestionably “evil,” it is still less severe than murder — particularly in cases where the victims are eventually freed unharmed.
“Saying that kidnapping children is a lesser evil than killing your soldiers, definitely is lesser. Killing is worse… They are all evil, but not all evils are of the same power,” he stated.
The cleric referenced previous incidents, including the mass abduction in Kebbi State, emphasising that the abducted children were released without fatalities. According to him, this proves that negotiations can prevent unnecessary loss of life.
“So it’s a lesser evil… They abducted children, and they were released. They didn’t kill them.”
His comments come amid the recent kidnapping of over 315 people — including 303 students and 12 teachers — in Niger State. While the Federal Government confirmed the release of 100 students on December 7 and 50 others reportedly escaped earlier, many victims remain in captivity.
When asked what message he had for the victims’ parents, Gumi replied briefly:
“It’s an evil, and we pray that they escape.”
“Negotiation Is Inevitable”
Defending his long-held stance, Gumi argued that Nigeria cannot avoid negotiating with bandits if the goal is to reduce bloodshed. He criticised government officials who publicly reject negotiations, calling such claims “unrealistic.”
“Everybody’s negotiating with outlaws, non-state actors… So where did they get the idea of ‘we don’t negotiate’? We negotiate for peace and strategic interests.”
Gumi revealed that his previous engagements with bandit groups were not clandestine. According to him, all visits were conducted openly, with security authorities and the press present.
He added that his last direct meeting with bandits was in 2021. Efforts to unite various factions ultimately stalled because the government at the time was “not keen.” Once bandits were officially declared terrorists, he said he withdrew from all contact.
“The Military Cannot Do Everything”
The former army captain also argued that Nigeria’s armed forces are overstretched and cannot resolve insecurity through military action alone.
“We need a robust army… but even the military is saying that 95% of this unrest is beyond kinetic action. The remaining part involves government, politics, and the locals.”
He reiterated that most bandits are rural Fulani herdsmen whose lives revolve around cattle — not urban Fulani communities.
“They are fighting an existential war… Their life revolves around cattle inherited from their forefathers. They are mostly Fulani herdsmen, not town Fulani.”
Gumi’s remarks highlight Nigeria’s ongoing dilemma: whether to rely on force, negotiation, or a mix of both to confront the growing wave of kidnappings and banditry ravaging the northwest.
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