Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a prominent Islamic cleric, has disputed allegations linking him to banditry-supporting sentiments, claiming that recordings and communications distributed about him were doctored and misrepresented.
In a statement put on his verified Facebook profile, Gumi said that several of his previous interviews on Nigerian insecurity had been purposefully misconstrued by individuals and groups he described as biased.
He alleged that ethnic-interest groups and certain online content creators were using “sensational and outrageous headlines” to attract attention.
The cleric rejected any suggestion that he has ever supported or justified criminal activities.
He said: “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.”
Gumi asked the public, media, and government to disregard what he described as bogus and twisted news floating online.
He further warned that further dissemination of such statements could result in legal penalties.
He stated: “I, therefore, urge the general public, the media, and the Nigerian state to disregard such fake, manipulated, and doctored materials currently in circulation.”
The cleric voiced hope for national peace and togetherness, as well as sympathy for victims of violence around Nigeria.
He added: “I sincerely hope that our great nation will heal, and that all victims affected by this violence will find comfort in the collective determination of the nation and the international community to achieve a lasting solution to the insecurity fueled over time by ignorance, poverty, and widespread social injustice.”