Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, the Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, has denied online claims suggesting that he was a target of the United States during recent airstrikes against terrorists in Sokoto State.
Speaking in an interview with Leadership, Gumi explained that the viral video being shared is not new and has been misunderstood. He said the clip referred to a threat made against him by the Boko Haram sect in 2012, not any current situation involving the United States.
He stressed that there is no danger to his life at the moment and described the reports as false and misleading. According to him, some media platforms wrongly linked his past experience to recent events.
Gumi said, “There is a fake news going viral now that wrongly claims that I said I was targeted by the US attack on Nigerian soil, or something to that effect.
“I never said so, and I also never thought of such a possibility. I am comfortably staying in my home with my family without fear, intimidation, or apprehension.”
He further clarified that the confusion came from a sermon he delivered at a mosque, where he spoke about an incident that happened in August 2012.
“I believe the source of misinterpretation was a lecture I gave in the mosque on how, in August 2012, I was told that Boko Haram had targeted me for elimination. The two people who came to execute the plan were killed instantly when the bomb detonated in their hands near my house.”
The cleric called on media organisations that published the reports to withdraw them and apologise openly.
“I advise all news agencies that reported the fake news to publicly retract it and tender their apologies.
“I didn’t offend anyone and how can I say I am listed among individuals marked for elimination. The report flying is false. I am a peaceful person and I am living peacefully and my life is not in danger presently, there is no threat to my life.
What I said was not now, what I am seeing online is not what I said. I didn’t say anyone wanted to eliminate me presently. I am not afraid of anyone.”
Gumi maintained that he remains calm and safe in his home, insisting that the viral claims do not reflect his current reality.
