Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has claimed that he was marked for elimination during a United States air strike carried out in Sokoto State, after allegedly being misidentified as a Boko Haram figure.
Gumi made the disclosure while recounting events surrounding recent U.S. military operations targeting terror groups in parts of northern Nigeria. According to him, he received a warning on the same morning the air strike occurred, indicating that his name had appeared on a security list of individuals slated for elimination.
“There was a bombing here; the morning it happened, I received a call—I won’t tell you who called me—but I was told a security briefing was taking place and I was listed among those who will be eliminated as Boko Haram,” Gumi said.
The cleric expressed concern over what he described as grave intelligence failures, warning that misinformation could lead to the targeting of innocent individuals.
On December 25, the United States reportedly launched multiple air strikes against fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operating in Sokoto State. U.S. officials said the operation was aimed at degrading the operational capacity of terrorist groups linked to the Islamic State.
Gumi, a controversial figure known for his outspoken views on security issues and his past engagement with armed groups, has previously drawn criticism from both government officials and the public. However, he has consistently denied any affiliation with Boko Haram or ISWAP.
Neither the United States military nor Nigerian security agencies have publicly responded to Gumi’s claim at the time of filing this report.
The revelation has sparked renewed debate over intelligence gathering, counterterrorism operations, and the risks of collateral targeting in ongoing efforts to combat insurgency in Nigeria.
