Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has dismissed reports suggesting that he claimed to have been targeted by a United States attack on Nigerian soil.
In a post on his verified Facebook page on Sunday night, Gumi described the report as false.
“There is fake news going viral now that wrongly claims that I said I was targeted by the US attack on Nigerian soil, or something to that effect,” he said. “I never said so, and I never thought of such a possibility. I am comfortably staying in my home with my family without fear, intimidation, or apprehension.”
Gumi explained that the report may have stemmed from a lecture he delivered at a mosque, during which he discussed a past security incident linked to Boko Haram.
“In August 2012, I was informed that Boko Haram had planned to eliminate me,” he said. “The plan failed when the two people involved were killed instantly by an explosive device near my house.”
The cleric called on media organisations that circulated the report to issue corrections. “I advise all news agencies that reported the fake news to publicly retract it and tender their apologies,” he added.
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, based in Kaduna, is a former military imam who previously served as an adviser to the late General Sani Abacha.
