Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has raised alarm over his safety, alleging that he has been marked for assassination after being labelled a Boko Haram figure. The Kaduna-based scholar said the information was secretly passed to him by security sources following a high-level security meeting in Abuja.
Sheikh Gumi made the claim while addressing his followers in a video that has since gone viral on social media. In the video, the cleric told his congregation that he received an early-morning phone call from an unnamed source who warned him of an alleged plan to eliminate him.
According to Gumi, the caller informed him that his name came up during a national security meeting and that he was identified as a Boko Haram figure.
“They called me from Abuja and told me there was a security meeting,” Gumi said in the video. “They said I have been marked, that I will be eliminated. And who are Boko Haram?” he asked.
The cleric did not provide details of the meeting, the identity of those involved, or any official document to support his claim. Security agencies have also not reacted officially to the allegation as of the time of filing this report.
Sheikh Gumi is a well-known Islamic scholar who has often been in the public eye because of his outspoken views on insecurity, banditry, and governance in Nigeria. Over the years, he has drawn both support and criticism for his comments and actions, especially his engagement with armed groups in the North-West.
Gumi became widely known during the height of banditry in states like Kaduna, Zamfara, and Katsina, when he openly visited bandit camps and held discussions with armed groups. He said at the time that his aim was to encourage dialogue and peaceful resolution to the crisis.
However, many Nigerians criticized him for engaging with criminals rather than condemning them outright. Some accused him of defending bandits and terrorists, allegations he has repeatedly denied.
In the viral video, Gumi also questioned how terrorism is defined, both in Nigeria and globally. He suggested that powerful countries play a role in creating or shaping the narrative around terrorism.
“Even Americans said they came to fight terrorists, so who are the terrorists?” he said. “They are the ones,” he added, without providing further explanation.
His comment appeared to suggest that global powers contribute to conflicts and instability in different parts of the world while presenting themselves as fighters against terrorism.
Nigeria has battled terrorism for over a decade, especially in the North-East, where Boko Haram and its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have carried out deadly attacks. The conflict has led to the deaths of thousands of people and displaced millions from their homes.
In addition to the North-East insurgency, the North-West and parts of the North-Central regions have faced widespread banditry, including kidnappings, killings, and attacks on villages. Although bandit groups are different from Boko Haram, the lines between criminality and terrorism have sometimes appeared blurred, especially when attacks become more organised and violent.
Security agencies have repeatedly said they are committed to tackling all forms of violent crime and terrorism across the country. The Federal Government has also insisted that no individual, regardless of status or influence, is above the law.
Sheikh Gumi’s allegation has sparked mixed reactions across the country. While some of his supporters expressed concern over his safety and called for protection, others questioned the credibility of the claim and demanded clarification from security authorities.
Gumi has, in the past, accused the government of mishandling the fight against insecurity. He has argued that poverty, injustice, and bad governance are major drivers of violence and that military force alone cannot solve the problem.
His critics, however, accuse him of making statements that appear to justify criminal actions or shift blame away from those carrying out attacks.
Despite the controversy surrounding him, Gumi remains an influential voice in some parts of Northern Nigeria, especially among religious followers who listen to his sermons and public statements.
The allegation of an assassination plot comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with renewed security concerns across several regions. Attacks on communities, markets, and highways have continued to raise questions about intelligence gathering, response time, and coordination among security agencies.
As of now, Sheikh Gumi has not said whether he has reported the alleged threat formally to the police or other security agencies. He also did not state if he has taken any personal security measures following the warning.
The Federal Government and security agencies are yet to confirm or deny the claim. Nigerians are now watching closely to see if an official response will be issued to address the allegation and reassure the public.