By Dalena Reporters Staff l January 4, 2026
KADUNA / ABUJA — Controversial northern Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has claimed that he was informed by unnamed security sources in Abuja that his name appeared on a purported list of individuals “marked for elimination” alongside Boko Haram terrorists, a development he says reflects deepening mistrust and misinformation in Nigeria’s security and political discourse.
Speaking to his congregation on Sunday, January 4, 2026, Gumi said he received an early-morning phone call from an anonymous source he declined to identify, who allegedly told him there had been a high-level security meeting in Abuja during which his name was mentioned as someone to be targeted for elimination as a Boko Haram figure. “They called me from Abuja and told me I have been marked; that I will be eliminated,” Gumi said. He questioned the basis for such a designation “And who are Boko Haram?” and expressed disbelief that he would be treated as a terror suspect.
In his remarks, the cleric also sharply criticised foreign military involvement in Nigeria, particularly pointing to the United States’ recent airstrikes against Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants in Sokoto State in December 2025, arguing that external interventions do more harm than good. Gumi contended that such actions, and the broader narrative around terrorism, have worsened insecurity and social divisions in Nigeria.
Gumi’s comments also touched on broader grievances about foreign influence, particularly alleging that U.S. actions and narratives have contributed to the rise and persistence of insurgent groups like Boko Haram, and suggesting that Nigerian political and religious leaders have been too silent or ineffective in addressing the country’s escalating crises.
The cleric’s claims are dramatic and highly contentious, and as yet there has been no official confirmation from Nigerian security agencies or the federal government regarding any list or plan to eliminate Gumi, nor any acknowledgement that his name figures on any such list. Analysts caution that unverified claims especially those involving allegations of assassination plots can inflame tensions and spread misinformation, particularly in a context where violence, terrorism and foreign military involvement remain sensitive political subjects.
Observers note that Gumi has previously been a polarising figure in Nigeria’s security landscape, known for his controversial stance on negotiations with armed groups and his outspoken commentary on the country’s conflict dynamics.