…..Describes Abduction Of Children As Lesser Evil
Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Controversial Islamic Leader, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has said that military might alone cannot end insecurity just as he gave reasons the Nigerian government must negotiate with bandits to deescalate insecurity in the North-West.
Truth Live News Media reports that he disclosed that while speaking with the BBC.
Sheikh Gumi said the Nigerian military cannot defeat bandits through warfare.
According to him, everywhere in the world, armies struggle against guerrilla fighters and Nigeria cannot be an exception.
“But even the military says that, in dealing with this civil unrest and criminality, only 25 percent is kinetic action; the rest depends on the government, politics and local communities. The military cannot do everything.
“Where have you ever seen the military defeat guerrilla fighters? Nowhere.”
Gumi has described the kidnapping of schoolchildren as a “lesser evil” compared to killing soldiers,
He said while the abduction of minors is “evil,” it remains less grievous than murder — particularly in situations where kidnapped children are eventually released unharmed.
“Saying that kidnapping children is a lesser evil than killing your soldiers, definitely is lesser. Killing is worse than, but they are all evil. It’s just a lesser evil. Not all evils are of the same power.
He cited previous incidents, including the mass abduction in Kebbi State, arguing that the victims were freed without fatalities.
“So it’s a lesser evil than, like, what happened in Kebbi. They abducted children, and they were released. They didn’t kill them.”
Gumi’s comment comes as President Bola Tinubu ordered security agents to ensure that all those abducted by terrorists are released.
Tinubu had directed security forces to work with state governors in ensuring that abducted victims are released.
Recall the controversial Islamic Leader had pointed an accusing finger at the foreign powers, accusing them of supporting terrorists in Nigeria.
Sheikh Gumi made this allegation during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, claiming that recent patterns of attacks across the country suggest external support for armed groups operating in Nigeria.
The Islamic cleric stated that the situation on the ground contradicts earlier signs of improvement in national security.
He pointed to the Abuja–Kaduna highway, once regarded as a deadly corridor for commuters, stressing that the route had become far safer in recent months before the renewed surge in violence.
According to him, farmers in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, who had long abandoned their farmlands due to persistent threats, had gradually resumed farming activities, an indication that the security environment had shown signs of stability before the latest spike in attacks.
The controversial cleric maintained that the sudden reversal in progress raises questions that cannot be ignored, urging the Nigerian government to intensify intelligence operations, strengthen diplomatic engagements, and scrutinise all external links that may be fuelling insecurity.
Recall too that, he had one time in his prayer shared on Facebook, urged Allah to pour his anger on those who profit from terror, support terrorists or are excited by their actions.
His words, “My prayer today: Ya Allah! Whoever initiated or is behind this insecurity and bloodbath in Nigeria, whether foreign or citizen, or has any benefit, material or otherwise, or is even happy that people are being killed, or willingly did nothing to stop it, may by Your divine power be exposed and Your anger poured upon them and punished immediately without harm to the innocent.”
The cleric is often criticised on social media over his alleged chumminess with bandits.
However, he denies this, expressing readiness to help authorities end banditry using dialogue when necessary.
Recall in November, Gumi said insurgency persists because a large number of uneducated and unemployed youths are easily recruited and exploited by enemies of the state.