Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has raised fresh concerns over rising religious tensions in Plateau State, calling for an urgent investigation into a foreign missionary he claims may be linked to covert intelligence activities.
Gumi, in a strongly-worded statement, alleged that a self-acclaimed United States missionary operating in the state could be a covert agent of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), accusing the individual of deliberately inciting divisions between Muslim and Christian communities.
The cleric warned that the activities of the missionary are not aligned with peace-building efforts, but instead appear to be aggravating existing fault lines in the already volatile region.
Plateau State, particularly communities in Jos and its environs, has long grappled with ethno-religious conflicts, making it highly susceptible to provocations.
According to Gumi, the individual in question has been engaging in actions and rhetoric capable of deepening mistrust and hostility among residents. He stressed that such conduct, if left unchecked, could further destabilise the fragile co-existence between religious groups.
The cleric urged Nigerian security agencies to take the matter seriously by launching a comprehensive investigation into the missionary’s identity, affiliations, and activities, to determine whether there is any external interference aimed at undermining peace in the region.
Gumi also called on community leaders, religious figures and the general public to remain vigilant and avoid being drawn into divisive narratives that could trigger violence.
The call comes amid renewed concerns over security and interfaith relations in Plateau State, with stakeholders emphasising the need for unity, dialogue and pro-active measures to prevent further escalation.
