By Atoyebi Nike
Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has said the kidnapping of schoolchildren is a “lesser evil” compared to killing soldiers, arguing that Nigeria must negotiate with bandits to prevent greater violence.
In an interview with the BBC, Gumi acknowledged that abducting minors is wrong but insisted it remains less severe than murder, especially when victims are later released unharmed. His comments come amid the abduction of more than 315 people in Niger State, where some students have escaped or been freed.
The cleric defended his long-held belief in dialogue with bandits, saying negotiation is a global and practical approach to saving lives. He added that past engagements with bandit groups were conducted openly and alongside authorities but ended after the government designated the groups as terrorists.
Gumi also argued that the military alone cannot resolve Nigeria’s insecurity and stressed the need for broader government and community involvement.
