Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has denied allegations linking him to support for banditry and terrorism in Nigeria, insisting that several videos and statements circulating online were deliberately manipulated and taken out of context.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page, Gumi said he has repeatedly been misquoted during media interviews and public discussions on insecurity in a bid to portray him as sympathetic to criminal groups.
“I hereby state unequivocally that any video clip, written statement, or message attributed to me suggesting support for banditry does not emanate from me,” the cleric reportedly said while threatening legal action against media platforms and individuals spreading what he described as false narratives.
The controversial cleric also reaffirmed his commitment to peace and national unity, maintaining that his long-standing advocacy for dialogue with armed groups should not be interpreted as support for terrorism or violence.
Gumi has frequently generated national debate over his comments on insecurity, negotiations with bandits, and calls for non-military approaches to resolving violent conflicts in northern Nigeria.
Daily Times
