Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, a controversial Islamic preacher, has attacked social media rumors that he was detained by US military forces in Nigeria, calling them untrue and deceptive.
The cleric responded to a widely shared photo that appeared online on Thursday, February 5, purportedly depicting him being arrested by US forces at a Nigerian airport.
Claims that the incident was a component of an international counterterrorism operation involving foreign forces working in Nigeria accompanied the image, which quickly went viral on social media.
In addition, some articles claimed that Gumi was stopped while trying to escape to Turkey due to allegations that he was connected to terrorist organizations and the camps where they operate.
In a phone interview with SaharaReporters on Thursday, Gumi vehemently refuted the allegations and questioned the story’s rationale.
“I cannot be arrested in Nigeria by the US Army.” He questioned, “Why will the US Army come and arrest me in Nigeria?”
Gumi also questioned the viral image’s veracity, claiming that it was fabricated rather than genuine.
The image was produced by artificial intelligence (AI). He emphasized that the images were fake and shouldn’t be taken seriously, saying, “Even a layman will know that the image is AI.”
“I have not been arrested,” he said in closing to reiterate his stance.
Due to his previous interactions with armed organizations and remarks that many Nigerians perceive as being sympathetic to bandits, Gumi, a well-known Islamic preacher, has continued to be a contentious public figure.
In an attempt to negotiate the release of kidnapped victims, he met with leaders of bandit organizations in areas of Kaduna, Zamfara, and other northwest states in 2021, which brought him under heavy national attention.
Although he received appreciation from impacted families and local communities for some of these contacts that resulted in the release of hostages, his actions also raised concerns inside Nigeria’s security establishment.