Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has triggered widespread reactions online after making fresh comments about terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria amid growing insecurity across the country.
Gumi made the remarks during an interview with AIT while speaking on how terrorist groups allegedly sustain themselves financially despite increasing military offensives against them.
Gumi speaks on terrorist financing
According to the cleric, many armed groups rely heavily on money generated from kidnappings to continue their operations and maintain their activities.
“The terrorists need all the money they’re getting from kidnapping. It’s not like they are living luxurious lives,” Gumi said during the interview.
He further argued that intensified military pressure from the Nigerian government has allegedly pushed the groups into seeking more sources of funding.
“The government is putting too much pressure on them, so they need money to finance their war machines. If they leave banditry, they won’t have any source of financing themselves,” he added.
Comments trigger backlash online
The statement quickly sparked reactions across social media platforms, with many Nigerians expressing mixed feelings over the cleric’s remarks.
While some users claimed Gumi was merely explaining the operational structure of terrorist groups, others accused him of appearing sympathetic toward bandits and kidnappers terrorising parts of the country.
Several critics questioned why the cleric would make such comments at a time when many communities across northern Nigeria continue to battle attacks, abductions and killings linked to armed groups.
Insecurity remains major concern
Nigeria has continued to witness deadly attacks, kidnappings and insurgency activities across several states despite ongoing military operations targeting terrorists and bandits.
The North-East and parts of the North-West have remained major flashpoints for insurgency, kidnapping and violent attacks on communities, schools and security formations.
Gumi has repeatedly made headlines in recent years over his controversial engagements and comments concerning bandits, negotiations and insecurity in Nigeria.
“The t£rrorists need all the money they’re getting from k+dnapping. It’s not like they are living luxurious lives. The government is putting too much pressure on them so they need money to finance their war machines.” – Sheikh Gumi
— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) May 17, 2026