Gumi Alleges Foreign Backing for Terrorists

Renowned Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s deteriorating security landscape, alleging that foreign powers may be providing support to terrorists operating in the country.

Speaking in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Gumi said recent patterns of coordinated attacks across several regions suggest the involvement of external actors, warning that the situation on the ground no longer aligns with earlier signs of improvement.

He highlighted the Abuja–Kaduna highway — once a notorious hotspot for kidnappings and deadly ambushes — noting that the route had recently become much safer before the sudden resurgence of violence. He also pointed to farmers in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, who had begun returning to their farmlands after years of displacement caused by insecurity.

According to him, these earlier improvements indicated a stabilizing security environment, making the abrupt reversal deeply troubling.

Gumi urged the Nigerian government to intensify intelligence gathering, strengthen diplomatic efforts, and thoroughly investigate any foreign connections that may be fueling the current wave of insecurity.