Controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmed Gumi, has denied allegations linking him to insecurity in Nigeria, insisting that his engagements with armed groups were solely aimed at promoting peace and finding solutions to the country’s security challenges.
Gumi made the remarks during an interview on AIT Television after he was reportedly turned back from Saudi Arabia despite obtaining a valid Hajj visa from the Saudi consulate in Abuja. According to him, immigration officials at Madinah airport informed him that his visa details were not appearing in their system.
The cleric maintained that he had never encouraged violence or banditry, stressing that his meetings with armed groups were carried out alongside government authorities to better understand the grievances fueling insecurity in northern Nigeria. He argued that military action alone could not completely resolve the crisis.
Gumi also claimed that Saudi Arabian authorities had previously investigated and cleared him of all allegations related to terrorism or insecurity, adding that he was allowed to complete his PhD in Islamic jurisprudence after the investigation.
The cleric has remained a controversial figure for years over his visits to bandits’ camps and repeated calls for dialogue and amnesty programmes for armed groups. While critics have accused him of being sympathetic to bandits, Gumi has consistently denied supporting criminal activities, insisting that his efforts were intended to encourage peace and national stability.
