Recently, a popular Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has faced heavy criticism over his stance on the insecurity ravaging Nigeria. This criticism centers on his perceived soft spot for bandits who have turned much of the North West and North Central regions into dangerous zones. Some Nigerians have even called for his arrest over his views on how the country should handle bandits who carry out deadly attacks on communities and impose levies on residents.
The bandits are notorious for kidnapping and are known to be daring, especially in their attacks on security operatives. Gumi has insisted that banditry cannot be solved using military force alone but should be approached through negotiation. He often blames the government for the actions of the criminals.
A trained medical doctor, former military officer, Islamic scholar, and peace advocate, Gumi’s rise to prominence reflects Nigeria’s struggle with insecurity, identity, and the push for non-military approaches to violent conflicts.
Early Life Background
Born in 1960 in Kano State, Ahmad Gumi is the eldest son of the late Sheikh Abubakar Mahmud Gumi, the respected Grand Khadi of Northern Nigeria and an influential Islamic scholar. Raised in a home grounded in Islamic teachings, he developed an early interest in Islamic scholarship, which later shaped his public engagements.
Educational Background
Gumi attended Sardauna Memorial College before studying Medicine at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Unusually for a cleric, he combined academic training with military service, joining the Nigerian Army Medical Corps and eventually retiring as a Captain.
After his military career, he pursued advanced Islamic studies at Umm al-Qura University in Saudi Arabia, specializing in Islamic jurisprudence and Quranic exegesis. His training under renowned scholars earned him widespread recognition upon returning to Nigeria. He currently serves as the Lead Mufassir at the Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna, where thousands follow his annual Ramadan Tafsir sessions.
Religious Views and Teachings
Upon returning to Nigeria, Gumi became a leading cleric at the Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna, one of the most prominent Islamic centers in northern Nigeria. He is a noted Quranic exegete and delivers widely followed Ramadan tafsir lectures. He has authored books and audio sermons and often speaks on governance, justice, and socioeconomic issues affecting Nigerian Muslims.
Peace Missions and the Banditry Crisis
Gumi gained national attention when he began visiting bandit hideouts in Kaduna, Zamfara, Niger, and Katsina states to negotiate with armed groups. He said his efforts were aimed at reducing violence and encouraging criminals to surrender.
He argued that dialogue, education, and rehabilitation were more effective than military force, especially in the forested Northwest where thousands have been killed. He also established a school for Fulani herders in Kaduna forests and led medical outreach programs in communities affected by violence.
His efforts earned him praise from some groups, including a Christian youth organization in Kaduna that named him a Peace Ambassador.
Criticism and Controversies
Despite support from some quarters, Gumi has been heavily criticized by Nigerians who accuse him of legitimizing or sympathizing with armed groups responsible for mass abductions and killings. Some security analysts claim his visits emboldened criminals by giving them publicity.
Gumi has repeatedly denied the accusations, arguing that his approach is a humanitarian effort meant to reduce bloodshed in areas where the government has failed to maintain control. His criticism of the Nigerian government’s security strategy has also placed him at the center of national debates. At one point, he claimed that authorities know the locations of major bandit groups but are unwilling to act.
Gumi’s Deportation from Saudi Arabia
In 2025, Gumi again attracted public attention after Saudi authorities deported him during a Hajj trip. The move was interpreted as political, administrative, or security-related. After his deportation, he stated that Saudi authorities did not want him present at Hajj because of his political views, even though he had received a visa.
Gumi had traveled as part of a delegation of religious scholars sponsored by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria. Upon arriving at the Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina, he was reportedly stopped, denied entry, and immediately returned to Nigeria.
He later said that Nigerian authorities promised to investigate the matter. A source within the Hajj Commission confirmed the incident and expressed surprise, noting that all members of the delegation had valid visas and met the required conditions.
Although Saudi Arabia did not publicly state the reason for the deportation, some observers believe it may be related to Gumi’s outspoken political and religious views, which may conflict with the kingdom’s policies.
Marital and Family Life
Sheikh Gumi is married and has several children. One of his sons, Abdurrahman Ahmad Gumi, graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy and was commissioned into the Nigerian Army. The cleric lost a daughter, Maryam, in 2019.
