Controversial Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has rejected reports alleging that the United States had earmarked him for elimination, describing the claims as false and misleading.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, Gumi clarified that he never stated or implied that he was a target of any U.S. action within Nigeria. He explained that the reports arose from a misinterpretation of a lecture he delivered at a mosque.
According to the cleric, he was only recounting an incident from August 2012, when he was informed that members of the Boko Haram insurgent group had planned to assassinate him. He said those allegedly sent to carry out the attack died after an explosive detonated prematurely near his residence.
“I never said I was targeted by the U.S., nor did I ever consider such a possibility,” Gumi wrote.
He added that he is living peacefully in his home with his family, without fear, intimidation, or apprehension.
Gumi described the circulating reports as “fake news” and urged media organizations that published them to retract the stories and issue public apologies.
