Prominent Islamic cleric, Ahmad Abubakar Mahmoud Gumi, has rejected claims that he has ever supported or justified banditry in Nigeria, insisting that his public comments have been distorted and taken out of context.

In a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Saturday, the cleric said he had noticed that some of his past media interviews on insecurity were being selectively edited and misrepresented online.

He accused certain individuals and groups of deliberately spreading misleading narratives for ethnic or sectional reasons, as well as for online attention.

Gumi stressed that he has never, at any point, endorsed or defended the activities of armed groups operating in the country. He maintained that any audio, video, or written material suggesting otherwise did not originate from him.

He urged members of the public, the media, and relevant authorities to disregard what he described as fake or manipulated content circulating on social media platforms.

The cleric also warned that continued circulation of such materials could attract legal consequences, adding that he would not hesitate to take action against persistent defamation.

Reaffirming his stance, Gumi described himself as a patriotic citizen committed to Nigeria’s unity and stability. He also expressed sympathy for victims of violence across the country.

He called for collective efforts toward addressing insecurity, noting that lasting peace would require tackling underlying issues such as poverty, social inequality, and ignorance.

The statement comes amid renewed public debate over his past comments on negotiating with armed groups as part of strategies to address insecurity in the country.