05/02/2026
Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, has dismissed reports and images circulating on social media alleging that he was arrested by United States military personnel in Nigeria.
The claims surfaced on Thursday, February 5, after a viral image appeared online showing the cleric allegedly being apprehended by US troops at an airport. The image quickly gained traction, with accompanying narratives suggesting that the incident was part of an international counterterrorism operation involving foreign forces in Nigeria.
Reacting to the reports during a phone interview with SaharaReporters, Gumi described the claims as false and illogical, questioning how foreign military personnel could arrest him within Nigeria.
โThe US Army cannot arrest me in Nigeria. Why will the US Army come and arrest me in Nigeria, and for what reason?โ he said.
Gumi also dismissed the viral image, insisting that it was artificially generated and intended to mislead the public. According to him, the image was created using artificial intelligence and should not be taken seriously.
โThe image is AI-generated. Even a layman will know that the image is AI,โ he added, reiterating that he had not been arrested and remains free