Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi has dismissed a report alleging that he claimed he was targeted by a United States attack on Nigerian soil.
In a post on his verified Facebook page on Sunday night, Sheikh Gumi said the report was false and that he never made such a statement.
“There is fake news going viral now that wrongly claims that I said I was targeted by the US attack on Nigerian soil, or something to that effect,” he said.
He added, “I never said so, and I also never thought of such a possibility. I am comfortably staying in my home with my family without fear, intimidation, or apprehension.”
Gumi explained that the report may have been based on a lecture he delivered at a mosque, where he spoke about a security incident linked to Boko Haram.
“I believe the source of misinterpretation was a lecture I gave in the mosque on how, in August 2012, I was told that Boko Haram had targeted me for elimination,” he said.
According to him, the plan failed when those involved were killed by an explosive device.
“The two people who came to execute the plan were killed instantly when the bomb detonated in their hands near my house,” he said.
Gumi called on media organisations that published the report to correct it.
“I advise all news agencies that reported the fake news to publicly retract it and tender their apologies,” he added.
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi is a Kaduna based cleric and former military imam who served as an adviser to the late General Sani Abacha.
