Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has condemned the recent United States airstrikes on suspected terrorist camps in north-western Nigeria, warning that the action could deepen divisions and undermine the country’s sovereignty.
Gumi’s reaction followed an announcement by US President Donald Trump that American forces had carried out “numerous deadly strikes” in the region.
Trump said the operations targeted Islamic State terrorists allegedly attacking Christians, a claim that came alongside the Federal Government’s confirmation of ongoing security and intelligence collaboration with the United States.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the partnership, which resulted in precision airstrikes, was based on intelligence sharing and strategic coordination conducted in line with international law and Nigeria’s sovereignty. The ministry added that all counter-terrorism measures prioritise civilian safety and national cohesion.
Reacting via a Facebook post on Friday, Gumi acknowledged that eliminating terrorists is an Islamic duty, referencing the Prophet Muhammad’s desire to eradicate such groups.
However, he maintained that such efforts should be carried out by “clean, holy hands” rather than foreign nations which, he alleged, have a history of killing innocent civilians.
Gumi called on the Federal Government to end military cooperation with the United States and instead seek support from what he described as “neutral countries” including China, Turkey, and Pakistan. He also argued that airstrikes alone cannot resolve terrorism, stressing that Nigeria has enough manpower to conduct effective ground operations.
“As a principle, no nation should allow its land to be a theater of war. And no nation should allow its neighbors to be their enemies. If Nigeria wants military assistance, China, Turkey, and Pakistan can do the job effectively.
“The US involvement in Nigeria will attract the real anti-US forces, making our land the theater of war. The USA’s involvement in Nigeria, citing coming to ‘protect Christians’, will ultimately polarize our nation and infringe on our sovereignty.
“Nigeria should halt all military cooperation with the USA immediately because of its imperial tendencies worldwide and seek the help of those neutral countries mentioned. Nigerians are too educated to be played with. This is going to be a 2027 campaign discourse.
“Meanwhile, dropping a few bombs here and there cannot tackle the menace of terror; they need serious military on the ground, which, if we are serious, we have enough men to do that. We call on all villages affected to upload videos and pictures of any casualties involved.”
The cleric further described the airstrikes on Sokoto, a predominantly Muslim state, as emblematic of what he termed a neo-Crusade against Islam, while faulting the focus on areas he said face no immediate terrorist threat.
“The attacks are symbolic of a harbinger neo-Crusade war against Islam. Attack on Sokoto, where 90% are Muslim with no imminent danger of terror, while the real threat is in Maiduguri and on a Christmas Eve, with the claim of protecting against Christian genocide, says a lot. We believe the terror is manufactured and sustained by the same people claiming to fight it,” he said.