An Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, has rejected allegations linking him to support for banditry in Nigeria.
This was revealed in a statement issued in Kaduna on May 23, 2026, where he addressed concerns over what he described as repeated misrepresentation of his interviews, lectures, and public discussions on strategies for tackling banditry.
He said he had observed that his comments were being deliberately twisted in some media spaces and online platforms, stressing that such actions were driven by prejudice and sensational content creation.
“I’ve noticed that I am being misquoted in some of my media interviews, public lectures, and discourse on how to address banditry in Nigeria. This is being done by certain ethnic-interest groups, individuals driven by prejudice, and some sectional internet content creators who use sensational and outrageous headlines to attract viewership at the expense of human suffering and sacrifice,” Gumi said.
The cleric dismissed all claims suggesting he has ever supported, justified, protected, or advocated banditry in any form, saying such assertions were false and not traceable to him.
He said, “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 described himself as a loyal Nigerian committed to the progress of the country, noting his belief in its potential and unity.
“I am a loyal citizen of my beloved country, a nation whose potential I believe is unmatched anywhere in the world,” the Islamic scholar clarified.
He urged the public, media organisations, and government authorities to ignore what he termed fabricated and manipulated materials in circulation, warning that continued dissemination of false claims could attract legal action.
“I therefore urge the general public, the media, and the Nigerian state to disregard such fake, manipulated, and doctored materials currently in circulation. Furthermore, anyone who continues, from the date of this release, to circulate falsehoods against me shall be liable to legal action.”
Gumi lastly expressed optimism that Nigeria would overcome its security challenges, linking the crisis to poverty, ignorance, and social injustice, while calling for collective resolve to support victims of violence.