‘I Am Not a Bandit Sympathiser’ — Sheikh Gumi Breaks Silence, Threatens Legal Action Over Alleged False Narratives

Controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has strongly denied allegations linking him to support for banditry, insisting that his comments on insecurity in Nigeria have been deliberately twisted and misrepresented by critics and online content creators.

In a personally signed statement released on Saturday, the cleric said several of his public lectures, interviews, and discussions on tackling insecurity had been taken out of context and sensationalised in ways that falsely portray him as sympathetic to criminal groups.

Gumi accused certain individuals and ethnic-based interest groups of spreading misleading narratives against him in a bid to damage his reputation and attract online traffic through provocative headlines.

According to him, many of the viral clips and statements circulating online do not accurately reflect his views on banditry and insecurity in Nigeria.

The cleric maintained that he has never supported, justified, protected, or encouraged banditry in any form and urged Nigerians to disregard any material suggesting otherwise.

“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,” he stated.

Gumi further described himself as a loyal Nigerian who believes strongly in the country’s future and potential despite its current security challenges.

He appealed to members of the public, media organisations, and government authorities to ignore what he called fake, manipulated, and doctored materials currently being circulated about him on social media and other platforms.

The Islamic scholar also warned that anyone who continues to spread false information against him after the release of his statement could face legal consequences.

According to him, the deliberate distortion of his comments not only damages his image but also distracts from genuine conversations about finding lasting solutions to insecurity in the country.

Gumi expressed sympathy for victims of violence across Nigeria and called for collective efforts to address the root causes of insecurity, including poverty, ignorance, and social injustice.

“I sincerely hope that our great nation will heal, and that all victims affected by this violence will find comfort in the collective determination of the nation and the international community to achieve a lasting solution,” he said.

The cleric has remained one of Nigeria’s most controversial religious figures in recent years due to his repeated engagements and public comments concerning armed bandits operating in parts of Northern Nigeria.

While supporters argue that his approach has focused on dialogue and conflict resolution, critics have often accused him of appearing too lenient toward criminal groups terrorising communities across the country.

His latest clarification appears aimed at countering those accusations and reaffirming his position amid renewed public scrutiny over insecurity and terrorism-related narratives in Nigeria.