Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, an Islamic cleric, has cursed those responsible for the k!dnapping of a University of Jos student.
He said that both strategy and leadership were failing in Nigeria’s escalating k!dnapping crisis.
Gumi’s response came after a widely shared video of the student—identified as John Arum—in captivity with his k!dnappers demanding a N30 million ransom went viral.
The cleric warned that every Nigerian is now at risk due to the increasing number of k!dnappings and denounced the perpetrators in a strongly worded statement, claiming they had lost all humanity.
“May Allah destroy any person who helped in creating this situation or participated in any form, or neglected his or her duty in saving the situation, or is even happy about it,” he declared.
The cleric argued that Nigeria’s continued reliance on military force alone has failed to stem the tide of insecurity, insisting that a broader, more strategic response is urgently required.
He said evidence from security experts suggests that force driven operations should only form a fraction of the response, with greater emphasis placed on non kinetic measures such as dialogue, mediation and ideological reorientation.
“Vi0lence only hardens them; in fact, it is what created them in the first place,” Gumi said, warning that excessive use of force could further entrench armed groups.
He cautioned against emotional reactions and “conspiracy driven narratives”, urging both authorities and citizens to focus on practical solutions to the crisis.
“There is no room or time for abuses, sentimental judgment, or conspiracy theories. The danger is real and anybody can be a victim tomorrow,” he added.
Gumi also criticised the “slow pace of response by government institutions”, warning that gaps in action have created room for criminal groups to expand their influence.
According to him, the failure of the state to act decisively has emboldened non-state actors, allowing them to operate as powerful networks capable of instilling fear and exerting pressure on communities.