Gumi Says Child Kidnapping “Lesser Evil,” Renews Call for Negotiations with Bandits

An interview released Tuesday has stirred debate across Nigeria after prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi argued that the abduction of schoolchildren, though “evil,” is a lesser crime than the killing of soldiers, and that the country must continue negotiating with armed groups to prevent further loss of life.

Gumi told the BBC that kidnappings — particularly cases where victims are eventually returned unharmed — do not carry the same weight as murder. He pointed to past incidents such as the mass abduction in Kebbi State, saying the children there were released without fatalities. His comments come amid the abduction of more than 315 people in Niger State, including 303 students and 12 teachers. The Federal Government announced the release of 100 students on 7 December, while 50 others escaped earlier.

Asked what message he had for parents of the kidnapped children, Gumi responded briefly that the situation remained “evil” and expressed hope the victims would find a way to safety.

He also defended his long-standing advocacy for dialogue with bandit groups, arguing that negotiations are a practical tool used worldwide to contain non-state actors. He questioned the notion that governments should not negotiate with criminals, insisting it is neither a religious nor a practical principle. According to him, previous outreach efforts were done openly, with officials and journalists present.

Gumi said his last direct interactions with bandit groups took place in 2021 and ended after the federal government formally designated them as terrorists. He added that earlier attempts to bring various factions together were not supported at the time.

Commenting more broadly on the insecurity gripping the country, the cleric — a former army officer — argued that military force alone cannot resolve the crisis. He said even the armed forces acknowledge that their role in curbing criminality is mostly kinetic and that political authorities and local communities must shoulder the remaining burden.

He also urged Nigerians to distinguish between urban Fulani communities and the largely rural herders who make up most of the armed groups. According to him, many of these fighters view their struggle as tied to survival and the protection of their inherited cattle.

Gumi’s latest remarks highlight the ongoing tension between calls for dialogue and demands for tougher enforcement as communities in the northwest continue to grapple with kidnappings, raids, and chronic instability.