Actor Imeh Bishop Umoh Urges President Tinubu to Prosecute Sheikh Gumi Over Terrorism Allegations
Popular Nigerian actor Imeh Bishop Umoh, widely known as Okon Lagos, has taken to social media to call on President Bola Tinubu to take legal action against Northern Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, citing terrorism-related concerns.
Sheikh Gumi, who has been known for negotiating with terrorists and advocating for them in the past, has become a polarizing figure as banditry and violent attacks continue to plague parts of Nigeria. Reacting to the country’s worsening security situation, Okon Lagos wrote a passionate open letter on Instagram, urging the government to prosecute Gumi if found culpable.
“Sheikh Gumi is a proven banditry apologist. It's visible to the blind and audible to the deaf that there is a huge deficiency, if not a total lack of courage to arrest, investigate and subsequently prosecute and convict Sheikh Gumi if found culpable for terrorism,” the actor wrote.
He also echoed Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s tough stance on terrorists, saying: “The only repentant terrorist is a dead one, and I totally agree. Keel them all! Save Nigeria!! No responsible government negotiates with terrorists!”
Okon Lagos went further to call out political pressures, urging the government to act decisively regardless of “sacred cows,” insisting that national security and citizen safety should take precedence over politics. “Let sacred cows be touched. Let heads roll. That’s not too much ado for our roads and farmlands to be safe again, our communities livable, as well as our churches and sacred worship centers, safe like before,” he wrote.
His heartfelt appeal reflects a growing frustration among Nigerians, who are witnessing rising insecurity, abductions, and attacks on communities. While celebrity activism may not always change policy immediately, voices like Okon Lagos’ shine a spotlight on pressing national issues and remind leaders that public safety demands urgent attention.
The actor’s message also highlights an important principle: negotiating with criminals may provide temporary relief, but long-term peace and security can only come through accountability and decisive action. In a nation struggling to contain banditry and insurgency, Okon Lagos’ plea serves as a call for courage, transparency, and the restoration of trust between government and citizens.
