Controversial Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has alleged that the Nigerian government possesses the specific names and locations of all terrorists, while further claiming that recent escalations in violence are being fueled by “invisible hands” of foreign powers seeking to destabilize the nation.
Kaduna-based Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi has sparked fresh controversy by alleging that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is fully aware of the identities and hideouts of terrorists operating across the country. Speaking in a television interview with DRtv, Gumi defended his history of negotiating with bandits, asserting that his missions are never clandestine and often involve official witnesses. “The government knows every terrorist by name and location. I do not go to the terrorists alone. I call the Police, the security, everybody. I will go to the Emirs of that place,” Gumi stated, adding that he has even traveled to these dangerous enclaves accompanied by women to prove the transparency of his mediation efforts.
The cleric’s recent comments build upon a broader narrative he first introduced in late 2025, where he suggested that the sudden surge in coordinated attacks across the North is the work of major foreign powers rather than purely local actors. In an interview with BBC Hausa, Gumi argued that the escalation of violence—occurring after months of relative calm on routes like the Abuja–Kaduna highway—points to “invisible hands” with the resources to destabilize Nigeria. “There was a statement made by some foreign nations, and for long we have suspected these terrorists and extremists, and from the nature of their weapons, we realised they receive support foreign support,” the cleric remarked, suggesting that the sophistication of insurgent weaponry exceeds local capacity.
Gumi further insisted that the timing of these renewed attacks is strategically linked to international conversations regarding Nigeria’s domestic policies and reputation. He noted that residents in previous flashpoints like Birnin Gwari had only just begun returning to their farms before violence was “suddenly” reignited. According to the cleric, the pattern suggests that whenever Nigeria faces international scrutiny, conflict erupts to validate negative external narratives. “These are powerful and wealthy foreign individuals who have the means to penetrate and interfere with the affairs of other nations,” Gumi alleged, maintaining that the current insecurity is being manipulated by those who benefit from a weakened Nigerian state.
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