Maverick Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has claimed that a high-ranking government official in Abuja warned him of an alleged plot by the United States to target him for elimination through an airstrike.
According to Gumi, the alleged threat is linked to accusations that he maintains associations with Boko Haram, claims he has consistently denied. The cleric, who is known for advocating dialogue and negotiation with armed groups, said the warning was conveyed during a private conversation with the unnamed official.
The allegation comes amid heightened United States military activity in Nigeria and the wider Sahel region. In recent months, U.S. forces, often in collaboration with Nigerian security agencies, have reportedly conducted airstrikes against camps linked to Islamic State-affiliated groups as part of broader counterterrorism operations.
While the U.S. government has neither confirmed nor denied Gumi’s claims, the increased foreign military involvement in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism has fueled public debate and speculation.
Sheikh Gumi’s role as a mediator with bandit groups has long been controversial, drawing both praise from supporters who see dialogue as a path to peace and criticism from those who accuse him of legitimizing criminal groups.
In response to the alleged threat, Gumi has called on northern political leaders and Islamic clerics to publicly reject what he described as dangerous allegations, warning that such narratives could further inflame tensions and undermine local stability.
The situation highlights the sensitive intersection between international counterterrorism efforts and domestic political and religious dynamics, as Nigeria continues to grapple with insecurity across several regions.
