Saudi Arabia Bans Sheikh Gumi from Hajj Over Extremist Concerns — Nigeria’s DSS, NSA Briefed
Date: June 1, 2025 | Byline: IDNN Security Desk
ABUJA, NIGERIA — Controversial Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi has been officially barred from attending the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with top Nigerian security agencies confirming receipt of the travel ban alert.
The ban, flagged as a “security enforcement protocol”, follows what sources described as “intelligence red flags” over Gumi’s religious rhetoric, radical interpretations, and contact with bandit leaders across northern Nigeria.
“The Hajj Ministry included his name in the exclusion list based on pre-screening protocols. It was communicated to Nigeria’s intelligence agencies early this month,” a senior diplomat in Riyadh told IDNN.
DSS, NSA Briefed — Gumi Flagged as “Preacher of Interest”
Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) have reportedly been officially briefed by Saudi authorities on the reason for Gumi’s exclusion, citing:
-
Unregulated sermons promoting parallel justice systems
-
Past direct engagement with terrorist and bandit leaders under the guise of peace talks
-
Videos linked to Gumi promoting pro-bandit narratives in Zamfara, Niger, and Kaduna
Sources at the DSS confirm Gumi has been classified as a “preacher of interest” in ongoing radicalization studies but has not been charged with any offence in Nigeria.
Why the Ban Matters: Hajj Is a Global Security Checkpoint
Saudi Arabia’s Hajj clearance system includes a cross-national security clearance protocol, filtering out individuals flagged for:
-
Extremist religious activity
-
Suspected terror links or sympathies
-
Civil unrest agitation in home countries
Gumi’s exclusion places him in a sensitive diplomatic position, especially as he continues to hold public preaching events and enjoys massive online following among Northern youths.
💬 Gumi Reacts: “No Law Bans Me from Worship”
In a brief statement to his media followers, Gumi said:
“They can’t stop my faith. My religion is not tied to visas. I have never carried arms, only the Qur’an.”
However, top Islamic organizations like the NSCIA and Jamatul Nasril Islam have yet to publicly weigh in, wary of further inflaming intra-religious tensions in Nigeria.
Analysts Warn of Domestic Fallout
Security analysts say the ban could:
-
Spark rhetorical backlash from Gumi’s followers
-
Be used by extremist groups to spin anti-Saudi narratives
-
Trigger new scrutiny on foreign-trained clerics preaching unregulated ideologies
“This is no longer just theology. It’s national security,” said Dr. Yusuf Bako, an expert in West African Islamic networks.
