‘But he mediates for bandits’ — Nigerians react as Gumi’s son graduates from NDA

Abdulrahaman Ahmad, son of controversial Islamic cleric Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, has graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), sparking widespread reactions on social media.

Sheikh Gumi, a former Nigerian army officer who retired with the rank of captain, is known for his role as a mediator between the government and armed bandits in the North, a role that has often placed him at the center of heated debates. On Sunday, former senator Shehu Sani shared a photograph of Gumi and his son on X (formerly Twitter), congratulating Abdulrahaman on the achievement. “Sheikh Gumi’s son Abdulrahaman Ahmad graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy; congratulations and wishing him all the best in the service to our country,” Sani wrote.

Sources confirmed that the official NDA graduation ceremony for cadets is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, and that the photo currently circulating was taken during a pre-graduation programme.

While some Nigerians congratulated Abdulrahaman, others expressed skepticism, citing Gumi’s controversial engagements with bandits. One user wrote: “Okay…..now I understand why your government is reintegrating Boko Haram terrorists into the Nigerian military.” Another commented: “What a smart move by Gumi, Boko Haram spokesperson/mediator has successfully planted his son in the Nigerian army. Do your arithmetic well, you will surely have the equal to =.”