Renowned Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has firmly denied reports circulating online that he was a target of a supposed United States attack on Nigerian soil, describing the claims as false, reckless, and deeply misleading.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Sheikh Gumi said he never made any claim suggesting he was targeted by the United States or any foreign power, stressing that such a scenario was unimaginable. He accused sections of the media of amplifying unverified information and creating unnecessary panic.
The cleric clarified that he is safe at home with his family and has no reason to feel threatened or intimidated. He said the reports did not reflect his current situation and should not have been published without proper verification.
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Sheikh Gumi explained that the confusion likely arose from a lecture he delivered at a mosque, during which he narrated a past experience dating back to August 2012. According to him, the account referred to a foiled assassination attempt by Boko Haram militants who had planned to kill him. The plot failed after an improvised explosive device carried by the attackers detonated prematurely near his residence.
He stressed that the incident occurred more than a decade ago and had no connection whatsoever to any recent event or alleged foreign military action in Nigeria. He warned that linking the old Boko Haram incident to a fabricated US operation was both inaccurate and irresponsible.
Calling on media organisations that carried the story, Sheikh Gumi demanded an immediate retraction and a public apology, urging journalists to uphold professional standards and avoid spreading reports capable of inflaming public sentiment.
