Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, has firmly denied any connection with banditry or activities that promote insecurity in Nigeria, while clarifying the circumstances surrounding his recent return from Saudi Arabia.
In a statement that has sparked reactions across the country, Sheikh Gumi insisted he was never deported by Saudi authorities, describing the incident as a routine administrative issue.
“I don’t have any links with bandits, and I’ve never done anything to promote insecurity. Saudi Arabia couldn’t find my name in their computer and so they asked me to come back home. I was not deported,” Sheikh Gumi said.
The controversial cleric explained that the Saudi immigration system failed to locate his details during processing, leading officials to politely request that he return to Nigeria. He maintained that the episode was not connected to any security concerns or blacklisting.
Sheikh Gumi has repeatedly come under scrutiny in recent years over his public comments on banditry and his advocacy for dialogue with armed groups in the North-West. Critics have accused him of sympathising with criminals, an allegation he has consistently rejected.
The cleric, known for his influence among many Muslim communities in northern Nigeria, urged the public to disregard what he described as “malicious propaganda” aimed at tarnishing his image.
This latest clarification comes amid growing national concern over the persistent security challenges posed by banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of criminality in the northern region. Many Nigerians have called for stronger action against both the criminals and individuals perceived to be enabling them.
As of now, neither the Saudi Arabian authorities nor the Nigerian government has issued an official statement regarding the incident.