Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has invoked curses on the abductors of a University of Jos graduate, John Arum, describing the country’s worsening insecurity as a failure of leadership and ineffective security strategy.
Gumi’s reaction followed the circulation of a viral video showing the victim in captivity, with the kidnappers demanding a N30m ransom.
In a strongly worded statement on Friday, the cleric condemned the perpetrators, accusing them of lacking humanity and warning that the spate of abductions now poses a grave threat to all Nigerians.
“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 said.
The cleric also criticised Nigeria’s heavy reliance on military force in tackling insecurity, arguing that the approach has failed to yield the desired results.
According to him, the use of violence alone has proven counterproductive, stressing the need for a more holistic approach that incorporates dialogue, mediation, and ideological reorientation alongside limited military action.
“Violence only hardens them; in fact, it is what created them in the first place,” Gumi added.
He further decried what he described as the slow response of government institutions, warning that lapses in action had emboldened criminal groups and enabled them to expand their operations nationwide.
“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 warned.
Gumi, who is known for advocating dialogue with armed groups in northern Nigeria, has faced criticism from some quarters over his approach.
However, his supporters argue that his engagements have, in some cases, facilitated the release of kidnapped victims.
The abducted graduate was reportedly kidnapped while travelling to Kaduna, an incident that has sparked widespread outrage following the release of the video.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Federal Government and Plateau State Government to secure Arum’s release.
The student body threatened to embark on nationwide protests should the authorities fail to meet its demand within the stipulated timeframe.
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