Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi has condemned the rising wave of kidnappings in Nigeria, invoking divine punishment on those responsible while calling for a shift away from purely military responses to insecurity.
Gumi made the remarks on Thursday in reaction to the abduction of John Arum, a student of the University of Jos, who was kidnapped by gunmen demanding a ₦30 million ransom.
In a post shared on Facebook, the cleric described the perpetrators as having lost their humanity, arguing that relying solely on force would not resolve the crisis. He cited security experts who suggest that only about 25 per cent of counter-insurgency efforts should be kinetic, while 75 per cent should focus on non-kinetic strategies such as dialogue, education, and community engagement.
“Violence only hardens them; in fact, it is what created them in the first place,” he said, stressing the need for empathy and proper religious guidance as tools for deradicalisation.
Gumi warned that the security threat is widespread and indiscriminate, urging Nigerians and authorities to act with urgency and avoid what he described as emotional reactions or conspiracy-driven narratives.
“There is no room for abuses, sentimental judgment, or conspiracy theories. The danger is real, and anybody can be a victim,” he added.
He also criticised what he described as the slow response of government institutions, noting that gaps in state action have allowed non-state actors to gain influence and exploit the situation.
The cleric reiterated his long-standing position that Nigeria’s security strategy has over-relied on military force, while neglecting dialogue, mediation, and religious re-orientation—approaches he believes are more effective in addressing the root causes of armed violence in the North.
Over the years, Gumi has remained a controversial figure due to his engagement with bandits and armed groups, particularly in the North-West. While critics accuse him of legitimising criminal elements, supporters argue that his interventions have helped secure the release of hostages and saved lives.
Reacting strongly to the incident, he issued a curse against those linked to the crisis, praying for divine punishment on anyone who contributed to, enabled, or ignored the situation.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students condemned the abduction and issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Federal Government and the Plateau State Government to ensure the student’s release. The group warned that failure to act could lead to nationwide protests.
Arum was reportedly abducted while travelling to Kaduna, with a video of him in captivity circulating widely on social media and sparking public outrage over the conditions of his detention.
