Nigerians condemn cleric Sheikh Gumi for suggesting payments to kidnappers

Ahmad Gumi, a controversial Islamic cleric, has faced intense backlash from Nigerians on social media after suggesting that armed groups involved in kidnapping rely on ransom payments to finance their operations.

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According to Gumi, criminals involved in banditry are under pressure from security operations and therefore need funds to sustain their activities, as he stated that "The terrorists need all the money they’re getting from kidnapping.

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Gumi further explained that the government's pressure on these groups necessitates their need for financing, saying "It’s not like they are living luxurious lives; the government is putting too much pressure on them so they need money to finance their war machines," in an interview with AIT News.

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He also added that if the bandits were to leave their activities, they would not have a source of financing their war machine, implying that ongoing security pressure contributes to their actions.

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The remarks sparked widespread outrage across social media, with many Nigerians accusing Gumi of justifying or sympathising with criminal groups responsible for widespread killings and kidnappings.

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Reactions from users online reflected anger and disbelief at the comments, with @UmehWrites writing: "He actually said ‘The govt is bombing us’ like ‘US’… he’s announcing he’s part of the terrorists.

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@mc1yke also reacted, saying: "Boko Haram is a state-sponsored terrorist group… why would a government let people like Gumi work freely in a country like Nigeria where Boko Haram is killing thousands?”

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@SwitchNigeriaNG commented: "Tinubu would never take him out because like Miyetti Allah… I however believe, if he wins second tenure, he might damn the consequences and put people like Gumi in jail."

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@NigIsland stated: "It is a total disgrace that anyone would try to justify kidnapping… These people are not struggling, they are cowards who should be stopped."

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@Benjinku noted: "Saudi Arabia arrested and locked this terrorist up… but Nigeria is allowing him to move around freely and openly sympathise with terrorists on TV."

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@KingByronX questioned the statement, saying: "I genuinely don’t understand why anyone would make a statement like this when innocent Nigerians are suffering daily from kidnapping and terrorism."

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@PhoenixTv01 reacted more strongly: "Lives are being lost daily… and this old, useless, foolish… white bearded he goat is busy defending perpetrators of this evil…"

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@FubaraD1 also wrote: "Why is this still walking free out there? This is a double standard of justice."

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The comments have continued to generate heated debate online, with many calling for accountability over statements perceived as sympathetic to armed groups.