Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has denied being a terrorist sympathizer or downplaying the negative impact of banditry in Nigeria.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that Gumi, in a personally signed statement on Saturday, 23rd May, said his views on banditry in Nigeria have been taken out of context and sensationalized by online content creators seeking to attract viewership.
The cleric stated that he is a loyal citizen of Nigeria and urged the general public to disregard fake, manipulated, and doctored materials currently in circulation about his position on how to address the challenges of banditry in the country.
According to him, any video clip, written statement, or message attributed to him, 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 him and should be disregarded.
He wrote, “I’ve noticed that I am being misquoted in some of my media interviews, public lectures, and discourse on how to address banditry in Nigeria.
“This is being done by certain ethnic-interest groups, individuals driven by prejudice, and some sectional internet content creators who use sensational and outrageous headlines to attract viewership at the expense of human suffering and sacrifice.
“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.
“I am a loyal citizen of my beloved country, a nation whose potential I believe is unmatched anywhere in the world.
“I therefore urge the general public, the media, and the Nigerian state to disregard such fake, manipulated, and doctored materials currently in circulation. Furthermore, anyone who continues, from the date of this release, to circulate falsehoods against me shall be liable to legal action.
“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.”