Sheikh Gumi has dismissed viral claims alleging he was targeted in a US attack in Nigeria, clarifying the story was misinterpreted and urging media retractions.
Prominent Islamic scholar and public commentator, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has firmly rejected a viral claim suggesting that he was a target during an alleged United States military attack on Nigerian soil.
The cleric described the circulating report as completely false, misleading, and a product of misinformation that has been wrongly linked to his name.
Addressing the issue through a statement published on his verified Facebook page, Sheikh Gumi clarified that at no point did he claim to have been targeted by any US military action in Nigeria.
He emphasised that the report being widely shared across social media platforms was not only inaccurate but also a dangerous distortion of facts.
According to the scholar, the Sheikh Gumi US attack claim has no basis in reality.
He stated categorically that he neither made such comments nor entertained such thoughts, adding that the narrative being pushed online was invented by unknown sources and amplified without verification.
Sheikh Gumi further reassured the public that he is currently safe and living peacefully in his home alongside his family.
He dismissed suggestions of fear, intimidation, or security concerns surrounding his person, stressing that his daily life remains normal and unaffected by any alleged threats from foreign or local forces.
Explaining how the false narrative may have originated, the cleric pointed to a lecture he delivered at a mosque, where he recounted a historical security incident involving the Boko Haram insurgent group.
He noted that the lecture was purely educational and focused on past experiences, not current events.
The Islamic scholar explained that during the lecture, he referenced an incident from August 2012 when he was informed by security sources that Boko Haram had allegedly planned to assassinate him.
The incident, he said, was long resolved and had no connection whatsoever to the United States or any foreign military operation.
According to Sheikh Gumi, the alleged assassination attempt failed when the individuals assigned to carry out the attack were killed by their own explosive device.
He narrated that the bomb detonated prematurely near his residence, killing the assailants instantly before they could cause harm.
He expressed concern that this old account was taken out of context, twisted, and repackaged online to falsely suggest that he was recently targeted during a supposed US military strike in Nigeria.
The cleric warned that such misinterpretations could fuel unnecessary fear and confusion among the public.
Sheikh Gumi also criticised the growing trend of fake news in Nigeria, particularly on sensitive issues related to national security, religion, and international relations.
He noted that careless reporting and unchecked social media narratives often do more harm than good.
Calling for professionalism and accountability, the scholar urged media organisations and online platforms that published or shared the false report to take responsibility for their actions.
He appealed to them to verify information before dissemination and to correct any misleading stories already in circulation.
In his statement, Sheikh Gumi specifically advised news outlets that carried the Sheikh Gumi US attack claim to issue public retractions and offer apologies.
He stressed that responsible journalism is critical in maintaining public trust and preventing the spread of misinformation.
Observers say the incident highlights the broader challenge of media misinformation in the digital age, where lectures, interviews, and historical accounts can be misquoted or deliberately altered to generate viral content.
Analysts warn that such practices could escalate tensions and undermine national unity.
As conversations around security, insurgency, and foreign involvement continue in Nigeria, Sheikh Gumi’s response serves as a reminder of the importance of accuracy, context, and ethical reporting.
He reiterated his commitment to peaceful engagement and honest dialogue while distancing himself completely from the false narrative.
Ireport247news
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