Fact-Checking Viral Claims: Sheikh Gumi's Alleged Warning to US and Israel
In recent weeks, a concerning social media narrative has gained traction across Nigerian digital platforms. A viral Facebook claim alleged that prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi issued a stern warning to the United States and Israel against attempts to divide Nigeria and threaten Fulani interests. According to these widely circulated posts, Gumi supposedly accused the two nations of planning to liberate Biafra and fragment the Nigerian state.
The Origins and Spread of the Claim
The claim first surfaced on January 27, 2025, through various Facebook pages and blogs. These posts suggested that Sheikh Gumi had made explicit statements about international powers interfering with Nigeria's territorial integrity. The narrative emerged following heightened attention on Gumi after his reaction to the December 25, 2025, United States air strike in Sokoto State.
Independent fact-checking organization DUBAWA has thoroughly examined these allegations. Their investigation revealed that the posts originated primarily from social media blogs without credible journalistic backing. No mainstream Nigerian newspapers or reputable news outlets reported such statements from the cleric.
Public Reactions and Social Media Discourse
The comment sections of these viral posts revealed deeply divided opinions among Nigerian social media users. Some individuals accepted the claims at face value, while others expressed skepticism about their authenticity.
@Chinyere Uduma commented: "Gumi, you are a betrayer. We want to go our separate ways; we can't co-exist."
Richard Olu Raheem questioned national unity concepts: "You are joking, where is the unity? Unity because Oil still comes from the Niger Delta, where the Northern leaders and Elites are getting cheap money. Time for everyone to go and rely on her resources. This is what we want. Terrorism created by the core North has eroded real economic development in the country."
Awolade Oluwadare expressed doubt: "I don't believe Gumi can say all these... what is his backup to say these?"
Verification Process and Findings
DUBAWA conducted comprehensive verification procedures to establish the truth behind these allegations. Their investigation included:
- Extensive Google searches for credible news reports
- Examination of Sheikh Gumi's official Facebook page where he regularly shares his views
- Review of mainstream media coverage of Gumi's recent statements
- Analysis of the context surrounding the cleric's past comments
The fact-checkers found no evidence supporting the viral claim. Search results linking to the allegation were traced mainly to Facebook and Instagram blogs that failed to provide crucial details about when, where, or to whom Gumi allegedly made these remarks.
Context of Gumi's Actual Statements
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has indeed been vocal about issues affecting Fulani communities and Nigeria's security situation. In a 2021 interview with Channels Television, he described Fulani herders involved in banditry as victims of circumstance. Following the December 2025 air strike, Gumi condemned the US military action and urged the Nigerian government to reconsider its military cooperation with the United States.
The cleric suggested Nigeria might benefit from working with neutral countries such as China, Turkey, and Pakistan instead. However, at no point did he explicitly accuse the United States and Israel of attempting to divide Nigeria.
Expert Analysis and Implications
DUBAWA noted that ethnocentric discussions have gained worrying momentum on Nigerian social media platforms. Such unverified claims, if left unchecked, could further inflame ethnic and political tensions in Nigeria's diverse, multicultural society. The fact-checking organization emphasized that if Sheikh Gumi had indeed made such significant remarks accusing major world powers of dividing Nigeria, mainstream Nigerian media would have widely reported them.
Final Verdict: Misleading Claim
After thorough investigation, fact-checkers have determined that there is no credible evidence Sheikh Ahmad Gumi warned the United States and Israel against dividing Nigeria. While the cleric has advised the Nigerian government to halt military cooperation with the United States, he never explicitly mentioned that Israel and the US would divide Nigeria.
The viral claim circulating on social media is therefore misleading and lacks factual foundation. This case highlights the ongoing challenge of misinformation in Nigeria's digital landscape and the importance of verifying sensational claims before accepting them as truth.
