Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has distanced himself from alleged statements and online materials linking him to support for banditry in Nigeria, describing them as fake and deliberately manipulated.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Kaduna, Gumi said the reports were doctored by individuals and groups pursuing ethnic and sectional interests, and aimed at generating sensational attention online.
He said his past interviews, lectures, and public comments on insecurity had been deliberately misrepresented by content creators seeking to drive traffic and distort his views.
“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 said.
Gumi reaffirmed his loyalty to Nigeria, describing the country as a nation of immense potential despite its current security challenges.
He urged the public, media organisations, and relevant authorities to disregard misleading materials being circulated in his name.
The cleric also warned that individuals or groups continuing to spread false information about him from the date of the statement would face legal action.
Expressing optimism, Gumi said Nigeria would eventually overcome its security challenges, adding that victims of violence would find comfort in the collective efforts of citizens and the international community to restore peace.
He attributed the persistence of insecurity to factors such as ignorance, poverty, and social injustice, and called for sustained efforts toward lasting solutions.
NAN
