Gumi denies supporting bandits despite years of controversial advocacy for dialogue, amnesty

Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has denied allegations linking him to banditry, describing several videos and online publications circulating on social media as manipulated and misleading.

In a statement issued in Kaduna on Saturday, Gumi said he does not support criminal groups and warned against the spread of what he called false and doctored materials attributed to him.

The cleric stated that any video, message, or publication suggesting he supports or encourages banditry “does not emanate” from him, adding that legal action could be taken against individuals or platforms spreading defamatory content.

Gumi’s reaction follows renewed public scrutiny over viral online clips allegedly showing him engaging with armed groups in northern Nigeria.

Some digital fact-checking platforms have previously identified certain videos linked to the cleric as manipulated or artificially generated, including alleged AI-edited content circulated on social media.

The cleric argued that portions of his past sermons, interviews, and public comments on insecurity in northern Nigeria have been taken out of context or deliberately altered to create sensational narratives online.

Over the years, Gumi has remained a controversial figure in discussions surrounding insecurity and banditry in Nigeria’s northwest.

He has publicly advocated dialogue and negotiated settlements with armed groups operating in parts of Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto, and other states affected by mass kidnappings and violent attacks.

The cleric has also repeatedly called for rehabilitation programs and amnesty initiatives for repentant bandits, arguing that poverty, lack of education, and social injustice contribute to the security crisis.

However, Gumi’s approach has drawn criticism from security analysts, government officials, and members of the public who argue that some of his statements appeared sympathetic to armed groups.

He has previously opposed moves to officially classify bandits as terrorists, warning that such actions could complicate peace efforts and worsen insecurity.

The cleric has also criticized certain military operations against armed groups, including airstrikes in parts of the northwest, which he argued risk civilian casualties and deeper instability.

These positions have fueled debate over whether his interventions represent genuine peace mediation efforts or inadvertently legitimize criminal networks.

The latest statement comes amid ongoing concerns about misinformation and the increasing use of manipulated digital content in Nigeria’s political and security discourse.

While Gumi insists he remains committed to peace and national unity, his role in negotiations with armed groups continues to generate sharp divisions in public opinion as Nigeria grapples with persistent insecurity across several regions.