Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has called on the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu to immediately arrest controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, over what he described as inflammatory remarks allegedly sympathetic to bandits operating in parts of the country.
Adeyanju made the call on Wednesday following the circulation of a viral video in which Gumi was seen speaking about Fulani herders amid growing concerns over insecurity across Nigeria.
In the video, the cleric reportedly said Fulani herdsmen “are going nowhere,” insisting that “they are part of us and we are part of them,” and stressing the need for coexistence.
The comments have since sparked outrage on social media, with critics accusing Gumi of repeatedly making statements seen as sympathetic to armed groups blamed for killings, kidnappings and violent attacks across northern Nigeria.
Reacting in a post on his Facebook page, Adeyanju said anyone perceived to be sympathising with terrorists should be treated as a threat to national security.
“People like Gumi can only survive in a country without a government. Terrorist sympathisers are terrorists,” he wrote.
He further alleged that the cleric’s public statements were encouraging insecurity and undermining ongoing efforts by security agencies.
“His words and actions promote terrorism in Nigeria. I call on the government to arrest him to serve as a deterrent to others,” Adeyanju added.
Ahmad Gumi, a Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, has remained a controversial figure in recent years due to his engagements with armed bandit groups in northern Nigeria. While he has consistently defended his meetings with bandits as part of peace and reconciliation efforts, critics argue that his actions amount to legitimising criminal groups responsible for mass abductions and violent attacks.
