Controversial Islamic cleric based in Kaduna, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, has alleged that several foreign powers are supporting armed groups and terrorist networks in Nigeria, claiming that the recent spike in violence is too coordinated to be purely local.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, Gumi said the sudden escalation of attacks — following months of relative calm — points to the involvement of foreign actors equipped with the resources and capacity to destabilise the country.
According to the cleric, the recent patterns of violence indicate that external forces are exacerbating Nigeria’s insecurity. He highlighted the Abuja–Kaduna highway, once one of the country’s most dangerous routes, which had become much safer until the recent resurgence of attacks.
He also noted that residents of Birnin Gwari, a longtime hotspot of banditry, had begun returning to their farms before violence unexpectedly re-emerged.
Gumi linked the renewed attacks to international dynamics, stating, “There was a statement made by some foreign nations, and we have long suspected these terrorists receive foreign support based on the nature of their weapons. These are wealthy and powerful foreign individuals who have the means to interfere in the affairs of other nations.”
He described the timing of the attacks as suspicious, saying, “Once Nigeria is accused of something, conflict suddenly erupts to make the narrative appear true.”
Responding to critics of his long-standing calls for dialogue with bandits, Gumi emphasised that the public often overlooks the root causes of insurgency. “Everyone knows the attackers, but few discuss why people we once lived peacefully with have turned against us,” he said.
He described the perpetrators as driven by ignorance or misguidance, adding, “There are two types of people whose destructive actions should not surprise anyone — the insane and the ignorant.”
Gumi also claimed that previous government administrations hindered his efforts to engage with armed groups. “When we tried to teach them that stealing and kidnapping are forbidden, the government did not support us. Had that support been provided, this issue could have been resolved,” he said.
Addressing accusations that he defends criminals, Gumi insisted that his interventions are guided by religious duty and conflict-resolution principles, not sympathy for armed groups. “Our religion does not condone oppression. Everything we do is for the sake of Allah,” he affirmed.
This version keeps all the key details while slightly condensing and smoothing the narrative for clarity and flow.
