Sheikh Gumi Under Fire for Calling Child Kidnappings “Lesser Evil” Than Killing Soldiers

Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has triggered widespread outrage after declaring that kidnapping schoolchildren is a “lesser evil” compared to killing soldiers, and insisting Nigeria should keep negotiating with bandits.

In a BBC interview released Tuesday, Gumi doubled down on his controversial stance, acknowledging that abducting children is wrong but arguing it doesn’t compare to taking lives.

“Saying that kidnapping children is a lesser evil than killing your soldiers is definitely correct,” he said. “Killing is worse. They are all evil, it’s just that one is a lesser evil. Not all evils have the same weight.”

To back his argument, he pointed to past mass abductions in Kebbi State where victims were eventually released alive.

“In Kebbi, they abducted children, and they were released. They didn’t kill them,” Gumi said, framing this as proof that negotiation works better than military force.

Gumi has been one of the most vocal advocates for dialogue with bandits, consistently pushing for negotiation over confrontation.

But his latest comments have crossed a line for many Nigerians who see his position as legitimizing criminal violence.

Critics argue that treating kidnapping as acceptable, or even comparing it favorably to anything, emboldens armed groups and undermines efforts to restore security.

Parents whose children have been traumatized or remain missing found his remarks especially painful.

With bandit attacks, mass abductions, and killings continuing across northern Nigeria despite years of talks, many question whether Gumi’s approach has achieved anything beyond giving criminals more time and leverage.