Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has clarified the circumstances surrounding his recent visit to Ibadan, Oyo State, insisting that he was neither invited by any Muslim group nor any individual in the South-West.

Gumi said his trip to the ancient city was solely to participate in a gathering of Muslim scholars and engage in discussions on national issues, particularly the worsening security situation in Nigeria.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page on Tuesday, the cleric explained that he attended the event in his capacity as a representative of the Coalition of Northern Muslim Ulama, stressing that his presence in Ibadan was part of an official assignment.

“I was in Ibadan not by the invitation of any South-West Muslim individual or group but as a representative of the Coalition of Northern Muslim Ulama,” he wrote.

The cleric also alleged that what he described as fear of Islam and Muslims was shaping political reactions in parts of the South-West following public discussions and controversies linked to his visit.

According to him, addressing insecurity in the country requires a deeper understanding of its root causes. He identified factors such as lack of education, unemployment and the marginalisation of certain communities as major contributors to insecurity.

Gumi argued that while security operations remain necessary, efforts at engagement, dialogue and rehabilitation should also form part of strategies aimed at tackling criminality and violence across the country.

His explanation comes amid ongoing public debate over security concerns in Oyo State, particularly following recent kidnapping incidents that have generated widespread reactions from residents, victims and advocacy groups.

Among those that have commented on the security situation is Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), which recently dismissed some claims circulating in connection with the incidents.

The controversial cleric maintained that he was being unnecessarily drawn into local political disputes and insisted that his constitutional right to move freely across Nigeria should not be questioned or restricted.

Gumi reiterated that his visit was focused on discussions aimed at finding solutions to the country’s security challenges and should not be interpreted through the lens of regional or political controversies.

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has clarified the circumstances surrounding his recent visit to Ibadan, Oyo State, insisting that he was neither invited by any Muslim group nor any individual in the South-West.

Gumi said his trip to the ancient city was solely to participate in a gathering of Muslim scholars and engage in discussions on national issues, particularly the worsening security situation in Nigeria.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page on Tuesday, the cleric explained that he attended the event in his capacity as a representative of the Coalition of Northern Muslim Ulama, stressing that his presence in Ibadan was part of an official assignment.

“I was in Ibadan not by the invitation of any South-West Muslim individual or group but as a representative of the Coalition of Northern Muslim Ulama,” he wrote.

The cleric also alleged that what he described as fear of Islam and Muslims was shaping political reactions in parts of the South-West following public discussions and controversies linked to his visit.

According to him, addressing insecurity in the country requires a deeper understanding of its root causes. He identified factors such as lack of education, unemployment and the marginalisation of certain communities as major contributors to insecurity.

Gumi argued that while security operations remain necessary, efforts at engagement, dialogue and rehabilitation should also form part of strategies aimed at tackling criminality and violence across the country.

His explanation comes amid ongoing public debate over security concerns in Oyo State, particularly following recent kidnapping incidents that have generated widespread reactions from residents, victims and advocacy groups.

Among those that have commented on the security situation is Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), which recently dismissed some claims circulating in connection with the incidents.

The controversial cleric maintained that he was being unnecessarily drawn into local political disputes and insisted that his constitutional right to move freely across Nigeria should not be questioned or restricted.

Gumi reiterated that his visit was focused on discussions aimed at finding solutions to the country’s security challenges and should not be interpreted through the lens of regional or political controversies.