Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has denied claiming that he was targeted for elimination by the United States during its recent airstrikes on terrorists in Sokoto State.
Gumi disclosed that a viral old video in which he once raised the alarm over a threat to his life referred to the Boko Haram sect, which reportedly attempted to eliminate him in 2012.
According to a statement on his official Facebook site on Sunday, Gumi stated that his life is not currently in danger, despite allegations to the contrary.
He claimed that God protected him from being slain by terrorists operating under the guise of Boko Haram.
He wrote, “There is fake news going viral now that wrongly claims that I said I was targeted by the US attack on Nigerian soil, or something to that effect.
“I never said so, and I also never thought of such a possibility. I am comfortably staying in my home with my family without fear, intimidation, or apprehension.
“I believe the source of misinterpretation was a lecture I gave in the mosque on how, in August 2012, I was told that Boko Haram had targeted me for elimination.
“The two people who came to execute the plan were killed instantly when the bomb detonated in their hands near my house.
“I advise all news agencies that reported the fake news to publicly retract it and tender their apologies.”
