Videos circulating on social media showing Nigerian security personnel paying homage to controversial Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi have sparked public outrage. The cleric remains heavily scrutinized by human rights activists and the government for advocating amnesty for bandits and claiming that ransom payments are necessary to sustain their operations.

The backlash over these interactions stems from several key aspects of his public engagements and security record:

Gumi has frequently acted as a mediator, visiting armed bandit camps to advocate for dialogue. While he maintains that negotiation is the only viable path to peace in northwestern Nigeria, critics, including the Nigerian Ministry of Defence, argue that these actions legitimize terrorism and embolden criminal networks.

Gumi has publicly disclosed that his visits to these armed groups for negotiations were conducted with the knowledge of or in the presence of Nigerian Police and government officials. This revelation has added fuel to claims that state officials are indirectly engaging with non-state actors.

The cleric has severely criticized aggressive military bombardments by the Nigerian Army and foreign intervention, warning that they could escalate the crisis. He has also previously argued that kidnappers rely on ransom money to fund their operations and survive ongoing military crackdowns.

His public statements have often prompted swift pushback. The Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services have historically summoned and cautioned the cleric over polarizing statements or accusations targeting military institutions.