Adesanya-Davies Calls for Arrest, Investigation of Sheikh Gumi Over Alleged Inflammatory Statements

Former presidential candidate and peace advocate, Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, has called on the Federal Government and security agencies to investigate and, if necessary, arrest Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi over what she described as “dangerous and controversial utterances” allegedly capable of threatening national security and peaceful coexistence.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, Adesanya-Davies expressed concern over comments allegedly linked to Gumi regarding banditry, terrorism, negotiations with armed groups, and insecurity in the country. She said many Nigerians across ethnic and religious divides had continued to demand accountability from individuals perceived to be sympathetic to criminal groups terrorizing citizens.

According to her, Nigeria could no longer tolerate statements or actions that appear to justify or indirectly encourage terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and mass killings.

“The blood of innocent Nigerians cries out daily for justice,” she stated.

The former presidential candidate stressed that no individual, irrespective of status, religion, or regional background, should be above the law. She argued that the same legal standards applied to separatists, agitators, and political activists should also apply to anyone accused of making divisive or inflammatory remarks.

Adesanya-Davies further lamented the continued killings, kidnappings, attacks on schools, churches, and rural communities by armed groups, saying the situation required decisive national action rather than what she termed “political silence and selective justice.”

She urged the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and the Federal Ministry of Justice to thoroughly investigate all allegations surrounding public statements connected to support for negotiations, amnesty, or justification for armed groups.

She also called for an independent judicial inquiry into individuals allegedly linked to terrorism financing, ideological encouragement, or negotiation channels with bandits.

While acknowledging that Gumi has repeatedly described himself as a peace mediator and denied supporting criminal elements, Adesanya-Davies insisted that matters concerning national security must be handled transparently and impartially to restore public confidence.

She warned that failure to address all forms of extremism and insecurity decisively could worsen ethnic and religious tensions across the country.

“Nigeria belongs to all of us. Christians, Muslims, and traditional believers must unite against terrorism, kidnapping, genocide, and criminal violence. Peace without justice cannot endure,” she said.

Adesanya-Davies also urged Nigerians to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and united in the pursuit of justice, equity, peaceful coexistence, and national restructuring.

She called on the administration of President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate fairness and impartiality in tackling security threats across the federation.

“Justice must not be selective. National unity can only survive where fairness, accountability, and security prevail,” she declared.