Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has cautioned Sunday Igboho against taking action to arrest suspected bandits, saying only lawful security agencies have such powers.
ABUJA, NIGERIA — Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, an Islamic cleric known for commenting on Nigeria’s security challenges, has warned Yoruba nation activist Sunday Igboho against attempting to arrest suspected bandits. According to comments attributed to Gumi, no individual has the legal authority to arrest or intimidate suspected criminals outside the country’s established law enforcement agencies.
Gumi reportedly maintained that the responsibility for arresting criminal suspects rests with agencies empowered by the Nigerian Constitution and relevant laws. He urged individuals and groups to allow the police and other security institutions to carry out their constitutional duties. However, the exact context and date of the reported remarks were not immediately clear at the time of publication.
According to reports circulating online, Gumi said that “nobody has the right to arrest and intimidate the bandits in Nigeria.” Extra News Nigeria has not independently verified the authenticity or the full context of the quoted statement. Neither Sunday Igboho nor his representatives had publicly responded to the reported remarks as of the time of filing this report.
Sunday Igboho has remained a prominent figure in campaigns for improved security in parts of Southwest Nigeria. Over the years, he has attracted national attention through his calls for stronger action against criminal activities affecting local communities. Meanwhile, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has frequently engaged in public discussions on insecurity and has previously advocated dialogue as part of efforts to address banditry and violence in northern Nigeria.
The development means public attention is likely to remain on the roles of community leaders and security agencies in addressing insecurity across the country. While citizens continue to demand stronger action against criminal activities, Nigerian law places the responsibility for arrests, investigations and prosecutions on authorised law enforcement agencies. Readers should note that the reported statement attributed to Gumi remains subject to further verification, and additional official responses may emerge.
