controversial Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi has described the mass abduction of children in Nigeria as a lesser evil compared to the killing of military personnel.

Gumi made the statement during an interview with BBC Pidgin, captured in a video posted on the platform’s Facebook page on Tuesday.

Although he condemned all violent acts by bandits across the country as evil, Gumi argued that kidnapping is preferable to outright murder.

“Kidnapping children is lesser evil than killing of soldiers. They are all evil, but killing is worse than abduction. Like what happened in Kebbi, the abducted schoolgirls were released,” he said.

Addressing claims linking him directly to bandit groups, Gumi clarified that he has never met with the bandits alone, noting that his last encounter with them was in 2021.

Regarding the recent abduction of schoolchildren from a Catholic school in Niger State, Gumi said he continues to pray for their safe release.