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Tag: Sheikh Ahmad Gumi

  • Gumi Defends Ibadan Visit, Dismisses Claims of Islamisation Agenda

    Popular Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has defended his visit to Ibadan last year, dismissing allegations that he was attempting to promote an Islamisation agenda in Oyo State.

    Gumi made the clarification in a Facebook post on Tuesday, insisting that his trip to the South-West was not at the invitation of any Muslim organisation or individual in the region.

    Gumi Explains Purpose of Visit

    According to the cleric, he attended the event in Ibadan as a representative of the Coalition of Northern Muslim Ulama and not on behalf of any local group.

    He questioned attempts to politicise his visit and maintained that every Nigerian has the right to travel freely across the country.

    “I was in Ibadan not at the invitation of any South-West Muslim individual or group, but as a representative of the Coalition of Northern Muslim Ulama,” he stated.

    “Can anybody stop me from going anywhere in Nigeria?”

    Gumi added that the controversy surrounding his visit made him realise the extent to which, in his view, Islamophobia influences political discourse in parts of the South-West.

    Comments Follow Kidnap Victim’s Video

    His remarks came shortly after a video surfaced showing one of the victims abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State disputing reports that the kidnappers demanded the introduction of Sharia law as a condition for their release.

    The victim, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, principal of Community High School, Esiele, said the abductors were not demanding Sharia law or a N1 billion ransom.

    According to her, the kidnappers were seeking the release of some of their associates currently in government custody.

    MURIC Rejects Sharia Claims

    The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) also rejected reports linking the kidnappers to demands for Sharia law.

    In a statement issued on Monday, the group described the allegation as false and argued that the claim was designed to portray Islam negatively.

    Background to Ibadan Visit

    Gumi visited Ibadan on November 19, 2025, as a guest speaker at the Southern Nigerian Ulama Summit held at the University of Ibadan.

    During the visit, he also participated in a meeting attended by Muslim scholars from northern and southern Nigeria.

    The visit generated public debate at the time, with some critics questioning its purpose, while supporters described it as a routine religious engagement aimed at fostering dialogue among Islamic scholars.

  • “I Never Supported Bandits” — Sheikh Gumi Rejects Viral Videos, Threatens Legal Action

    Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has denied allegations linking him to statements supporting banditry, insisting that viral videos and messages circulating online about him were doctored and manipulated.

    The prominent Islamic cleric made the clarification in a statement shared on his verified Facebook page amid renewed criticism over his past comments on insecurity in Nigeria.

    “I Never Supported Banditry”

    Gumi rejected claims suggesting he had ever defended or justified criminal activities carried out by armed groups across the country.

    According to him, certain individuals and groups were deliberately twisting his interviews and public comments to push false narratives against him.

    “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.

    Cleric Claims Videos Were Manipulated

    The cleric further alleged that some online content creators and ethnic-interest groups were spreading misleading content using sensational headlines for attention.

    He urged Nigerians, security agencies and the media to disregard the materials currently circulating online.

    “I therefore urge the general public, the media, and the Nigerian state to disregard such fake, manipulated, and doctored materials currently in circulation,” he added.

    Gumi also warned that individuals responsible for spreading such claims could face legal consequences.

    Calls for Peace and Healing

    While reacting to the controversy, the cleric expressed sympathy for victims of violence and insecurity across the country.

    He also called for national healing and collective efforts toward ending insecurity in Nigeria.

    “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 to the insecurity fueled over time by ignorance, poverty, and widespread social injustice,” he said.

    The statement has continued to generate reactions online, with Nigerians divided over the cleric’s comments and longstanding involvement in discussions around insecurity in northern Nigeria.

  • Sheikh Gumi Sparks Reactions After Saying Terrorists Need Kidnap Money To Survive

    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.