Prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has strongly denied allegations linking him to support for banditry and terrorism in Nigeria, insisting that several statements and materials circulating online about him have been manipulated and falsely presented to damage his reputation.
In a statement released from Kaduna, Gumi distanced himself from claims suggesting that he sympathises with or encourages armed criminal groups operating across parts of the country. The cleric said he has never supported violence or criminality and accused certain individuals and groups of deliberately twisting his comments from interviews, sermons, and public engagements to create false narratives against him.
According to Gumi, several video clips, online messages, and written statements currently being circulated in his name were doctored, manipulated, or taken out of context. He maintained that any material portraying him as an advocate of banditry did not originate from him and should be disregarded by the public. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The cleric further expressed concern over what he described as a sustained campaign aimed at tarnishing his image, alleging that some ethnic interest groups, social media users, and online content creators have repeatedly misrepresented his comments for political and sensational purposes. He warned that individuals spreading false claims against him could face legal consequences if the actions continue.
Gumi has remained one of the most controversial religious figures in Nigeria due to his past engagements with armed bandits in the North West. Over the years, he became widely known for visiting forest camps and holding dialogue sessions with bandit leaders as part of efforts he claimed were aimed at promoting peace and encouraging disarmament. Those activities, however, attracted criticism from many Nigerians who accused him of being too close to criminal groups terrorising communities across northern Nigeria.
Critics have also questioned how the cleric was able to access areas controlled by armed groups while under security escort during some of his visits. These concerns have repeatedly fueled public suspicion and intense debate over his role in discussions surrounding insecurity in the country.
Despite the controversies, Gumi insisted that he remains a loyal Nigerian committed to peace, national unity, and the development of the country. He expressed sympathy for victims of insecurity across Nigeria and prayed for an end to terrorism, kidnapping, and violent attacks affecting different parts of the nation.
His latest statement comes at a time when insecurity remains one of Nigeria’s biggest national challenges, with bandit attacks, kidnappings, and terrorist activities continuing to claim lives and displace thousands of residents, especially in northern communities. The renewed debate surrounding Gumi’s comments has once again sparked reactions on social media, where Nigerians remain sharply divided over his past negotiations with bandits and his role in conversations about resolving the country’s security crisis.
