Gumi Again Dismisses Genocide Allegations, Says ‘Christians Also Kill Herdsmen

Controversial Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has rejected claims that Christians in Nigeria are facing targeted genocide, insisting that clashes between herders and farming communities result in casualties on both sides.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Gumi argued that portraying Fulani herdsmen as the sole aggressors oversimplifies the crisis. He said both herders and residents in affected communities engage in “attacks and counterattacks,” leading to losses among all groups involved.

“The Christians at fault-line communities in conflict with herdsmen also attack and counterattack. They kill and they are also killed,” he wrote. Gumi added that during his recent travels across Kano, Lagos and Ibadan, he did not observe any coordinated violence against Christians.

“There is no Christian genocide anywhere in Nigeria. I was in Kano, Lagos and Ibadan in the last two days. Christians are going about their business. They are in power, economy and security outfits,” he claimed.

The cleric also cautioned against calls for foreign military intervention, warning that such involvement could escalate tensions and strengthen criminal groups. He stressed the need for Nigeria to invest its own resources in equitable education, development and security for all citizens, including herders.

Gumi’s remarks come amid rising concern over escalating violence in the North, following the recent abductions of dozens of students in Kebbi and Niger states.