Gumi: I Usually Don’t Like Elevating Him, But He’s Been Given Some From Of Recognition By Gov’t -Effiong

Human rights lawyer and prominent civic activist Inibehe Effiong has criticized the Federal Government for what he describes as its implicit endorsement of Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi in matters relating to Nigeria’s security crisis.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Effiong expressed deep concern over the government’s posture toward Gumi’s interactions with armed groups.

“I usually don’t like elevating him so much,” Effiong said, “but he has been given some form of recognition by the government as the chief emissary of those who are inflicting terror on our country.”

Effiong argued that Gumi’s repeated engagements with bandits and his commentary on the nation’s insecurity have gone beyond advocacy. According to him, the state’s treatment of Gumi appears to grant the cleric an informal but troubling legitimacy as a spokesperson for violent actors. He warned that such recognition not only undermines public confidence but could also embolden those responsible for widespread kidnapping, killings, and terror across the country.

The lawyer added that continually projecting Gumi as an intermediary suggests a lack of coherence in the government’s counterterrorism strategy. He questioned why a private citizen would be allowed to occupy a position that, in his view, inadvertently elevates criminal groups and complicates security operations.

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