Viral Image Fake: Sheikh Gumi Denies Arrest by US Military

Viral Image Fake: Sheikh Gumi Denies Arrest by US Military

Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has dismissed reports claiming he was arrested by United States military officers at a Nigerian airport, describing the allegations as false, illogical, and deliberately misleading.

The denial follows the circulation of a viral image on social media that appeared to show the cleric being detained by foreign soldiers, sparking widespread speculation that the incident was linked to an international counter-terrorism operation in Nigeria.

Several online posts alleged that Sheikh Gumi was intercepted while attempting to leave the country, with claims suggesting he was en route to Turkey and had been stopped over suspected links to terrorist groups.

Reacting to the reports, Gumi categorically rejected the claims, insisting that no such arrest occurred.

“The US Army cannot arrest me in Nigeria. Why will the US army come and arrest me in Nigeria, and for what reason?” he said.

He also questioned the authenticity of the image used to support the claims, stating that it was artificially generated.

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“The image is AI-generated. Even a layman will know that the image is AI,” Gumi said, adding that he had not been detained or questioned by any security agency.

According to him, both the image and the narrative accompanying it were fabricated to mislead the public and create unnecessary tension. He maintained that there has been no official action taken against him by either Nigerian or foreign authorities.

Despite the widespread online claims, there has been no confirmation from Nigerian security agencies or the United States government to support the alleged arrest.

Sheikh Gumi has remained a controversial public figure in Nigeria due to his long-standing engagement with armed groups operating in northern Nigeria. In 2021, he drew national attention after holding talks with leaders of bandit groups in parts of Kaduna, Zamfara, and neighbouring states, a move he said was aimed at securing the release of kidnapped victims.

While several hostages were later freed, his approach attracted criticism from security experts, government officials, and civil society groups, who argued that engaging armed groups without formal authorisation could undermine efforts to combat insecurity.

Despite repeated calls for investigations into his activities, no Nigerian court has charged Sheikh Gumi with terrorism-related offences as of 2026.

Viral Image Fake: Sheikh Gumi Denies Arrest by US Military