Controversial northern Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has reiterated that his interactions with terr0rist and bandit groups are not covert operations, insisting that he is consistently accompanied by security personnel and government representatives during such visits.
Speaking at the 2025 Southwest Muslims Ulama Summit held at the University of Ibadan, Gumi said his efforts have been repeatedly misrepresented by the media and the public. The remarks were reported by Sahara Reporters.
According to him, his visits to remote bandit enclaves are part of a broader initiative aimed at understanding the roots of Nigeria’s insecurity and creating avenues for dialogue, education, and rehabilitation.
“When I go, I go with the police. I don’t go alone. I go with the government. It’s not a one-man mission. I carry everybody along,” he said.
Gumi attributed the security crisis to widespread illiteracy and unemployment, describing them as the “two evils” fuelling violence across the country. He said decades of neglect had produced a generation of herders cut off from modern society and deprived of basic development.
He maintained that his method is focused on addressing the origins of insecurity rather than offering criticism from afar.
“To curb insecurity, you must go to its source. In trying to establish contact and open channels for education, people turned it into a problem,” he stated.
The cleric also expressed frustration over what he described as years of media distortion and online attacks.
“Whenever my name is mentioned, I know a barrage of attacks is coming, all because of misrepresentation,” he said. “I now understand what Muslims in the Southwest have been enduring.”
Despite not speaking Yoruba, Gumi noted that he felt aligned with the sentiments expressed at the summit.
“I don’t understand Yoruba, but from the vibrations of the voices, I know we are saying the same thing,” he added.
