Islamic Cleric Gumi Says Christians Also Kill Herdsmen, Rejects Genocide Claims in Nigeria

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu

Islamic Cleric Gumi Says Christians Also Kill Herdsmen, Rejects Genocide Claims in Nigeria

Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has again dismissed claims that Christians in Nigeria are being targeted for genocide, insisting that the country’s long-running clashes between herders and farming communities produce casualties on all sides.

In a post on his Facebook page on Sunday, Gumi argued that the common narrative portraying Fulani herdsmen as the only aggressors does not reflect the true nature of the conflict.

According to him, the disputes often involve attacks and counterattacks between both herders and the communities they clash with.

“The Christians at fault-line communities in conflict with herdsmen also attack and counterattack. They kill and they are also killed,” he wrote.

Gumi said he had travelled across parts of the country in recent days and did not witness any deliberate targeting of 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 added.

The cleric cautioned against calls for foreign intervention, warning that inviting external forces could deepen the crisis and empower criminal groups. Instead, he urged the government to focus national resources on inclusive development, education, and protection for all citizens, including herders.

Gumi’s comments come at a time when insecurity in northern Nigeria is drawing renewed public attention. In the past week, there have been multiple mass abductions, including the kidnapping of schoolchildren in Kebbi and Niger states.

These incidents have reignited debates over the motives behind the attacks, with some groups alleging targeted violence against Christian communities.

The cleric has repeatedly pushed back against such claims, maintaining that the crises stem from long-standing land disputes, economic pressures, and retaliatory violence rather than religious persecution.

His latest remarks follow earlier controversies, including his criticism of foreign governments and religious bodies that have warned of rising hostility against Christians in the country.

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Chioma Ndukwu

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