Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has rejected allegations that he supports banditry in Nigeria, dismissing online reports linking him to the crisis as fake and deliberately distorted.
The Islamic cleric issued a statement in Kaduna on Saturday, saying individuals and groups with ethnic and sectional interests had manipulated his media interviews, public lectures and comments on insecurity to create false narratives. He said internet content creators had deliberately misrepresented his words to chase sensational headlines and online traffic.
"I hereby state unequivocally that any video clip, written statement, or message attributed to me, whether directly or by innuendo suggesting support for, justification of, protection of, or advocacy for banditry in Nigeria or anywhere else, does not emanate from me," Gumi said.
The cleric reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria, describing the country as a nation with unmatched potential despite its current challenges. He called on the public, media organisations and government authorities to disregard any misleading materials circulating in his name.
Gumi warned that individuals or groups continuing to spread falsehoods against him from the date of his statement would face legal action. He did not specify what form the legal action would take or name any specific accusers.
On the broader security crisis, Gumi attributed persistent insecurity to ignorance, poverty and widespread social injustice. He expressed hope that Nigeria would overcome its security challenges and called for lasting solutions rooted in addressing these underlying factors rather than military action alone.
Gumi said he hoped victims of violence across the country would find comfort in the collective resolve of Nigerians and the international community to end insecurity. His statement comes amid recurring controversy over his engagement with armed groups and his public comments on security matters, which critics have said appear sympathetic to bandits' grievances.
