Social media rumors that he was detained by US military forces in Nigeria have been refuted by controversial Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, who called the reports inaccurate and deceptive.
The cleric responded to a widely circulated photo that appeared online on Thursday, February 5, purportedly depicting him being captured by US forces at a Nigerian airport.
Claims that the incident was a part of an international counterterrorism operation involving foreign forces working in Nigeria accompanied the image, which quickly went viral on social media.
Additionally, 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 reasoning behind the story.
“In Nigeria, I cannot be arrested by the US Army. “Why will the United States Army come to Nigeria and arrest me?” he inquired.
Gumi also questioned the viral image’s veracity, claiming it was fabricated rather than genuine.
The picture was produced by artificial intelligence (AI). “Even a layperson will recognize that the image is artificial intelligence,” he stated, emphasizing that the images were fake and shouldn’t be taken seriously.
“I have not been arrested,” he continued, restating his status.
Due to his previous interactions with armed organizations and remarks that many Nigerians perceive as 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 led to considerable national scrutiny.
His efforts raised concerns within Nigeria’s security establishment, even if some of these encounters resulted in the release of hostages, garnering him acclaim from impacted families and local communities.
