Nigerian actor and comedian Imeh Bishop Umoh, popularly known as Okon Lagos, has issued a strongly worded open letter to President Bola Tinubu, calling for the arrest and prosecution of Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi for allegedly defending and engaging with terrorists.

Gumi has long been associated with negotiating with armed groups in the North, a stance that critics say indirectly emboldens banditry.

In a post shared on Instagram, Okon Lagos accused the government of lacking the courage to take decisive action against the cleric.

According to him, “Sheikh Gumi is a proven banditry apologist. It is 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, prosecute and convict him if found culpable for terrorism.”

He condemned any form of negotiation with terrorists, echoing the controversial view once expressed by former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai.

“The only repentant terrorist is a dead one, and I agree,” he wrote. “Kill them all. Save Nigeria. No responsible government negotiates with terrorists.”

Okon Lagos admitted that political pressure may make such actions difficult but insisted that the seriousness of Nigeria’s security challenges leaves no room for hesitation.

“Yes, there may be sacred cows, but at this point, does it matter? Let sacred cows be touched. Let heads roll,” he urged.

The actor ended his message with a sombre reflection on the state of the nation and a plea for urgent action: “Our country is nearly gone. Let’s save what remains of these ruins and restore her to glory. Mr. President, I know you can. I hope you will.”

See his post below

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A post shared by Ime Bishop Umoh 🇳🇬 (@okonlagos)