Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has criticised recent United States airstrikes on terrorist camps in north-western Nigeria, warning the operation could inflame religious divisions and undermine national sovereignty. His comments followed confirmation by US President Donald Trump that American forces carried out multiple strikes in the region.
Trump said the airstrikes targeted Islamic State-linked fighters accused of attacking Christian communities. Nigeria’s Federal Government later confirmed ongoing security and intelligence cooperation with the United States, describing the strikes as precision operations conducted with Nigerian authorities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the collaboration involved intelligence sharing and strategic coordination consistent with international law. It stressed that the operation respected Nigeria’s sovereignty and prioritised civilian protection and national unity.
In a Facebook post on Friday, Gumi said fighting terrorism aligns with Islamic teachings, noting that the destruction of violent extremist groups is a religious obligation. However, he argued that such actions should be carried out by credible domestic forces, not foreign militaries he accused of a history of civilian casualties.
Gumi called on the Federal Government to immediately suspend military cooperation with the United States. He urged Nigeria to seek assistance from what he described as neutral partners, including China, Turkey, and Pakistan. He insisted that aerial bombardment alone cannot defeat terrorism and said Nigeria already has enough manpower for effective ground operations.
The cleric warned that US involvement could draw global anti-American militant groups into Nigeria, potentially turning the country into a wider battlefield. He also cautioned that framing the operation as protection for Christians risks deepening religious polarisation and politicising security issues ahead of the 2027 elections.
Gumi criticised reports of airstrikes in Sokoto, a predominantly Muslim state, describing them as symbolic and unnecessary. He questioned why areas he claimed faced fewer immediate threats were targeted instead of established insurgent strongholds in the northeast. He further alleged that terrorism is being sustained by the same forces claiming to combat it.
He urged affected communities to document and share evidence of any civilian casualties, saying transparency was critical as debate intensifies over foreign military involvement in Nigeria’s security operations.
