Sheikh Gumi Slams US Airstrikes in Nigeria as Polarising Threat

Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi criticised the United States’ recent airstrikes on terrorist camps in north-western Nigeria. He described them as potentially polarising the nation and infringing on sovereignty in a Facebook post on Friday. The strikes targeted Islamic State militants following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of deadly operations in the region.

Gumi agreed that annihilating terrorists aligns with Islamic teachings, referencing the Prophet Muhammad’s stance against such groups. Yet he insisted actions must come from “clean, holy hands” rather than foreign powers accused of killing innocents historically. He viewed the US involvement, framed as protecting Christians, as risking a “neo-Crusade war against Islam,” especially strikes in predominantly Muslim Sokoto with no immediate terror threat, while real dangers persist in Maiduguri.

The cleric urged the Federal Government to end military cooperation with the US due to its “imperial tendencies.” He recommended seeking help from neutral countries like China, Turkey, and Pakistan instead. “If Nigeria wants military assistance, China, Turkey, and Pakistan can do the job effectively,” Gumi wrote, adding that bomb drops alone fail to curb terror and Nigeria has enough troops for ground operations.

He warned US engagement could attract anti-US forces, turning Nigeria into a war theatre and becoming a 2027 election issue. Gumi called on affected villages to share videos and pictures of casualties for transparency. He suggested the terror might be “manufactured and sustained” by those claiming to fight it.

The Federal Government confirmed the strikes stemmed from intelligence sharing and coordination with the US, respecting sovereignty and prioritising civilian safety. As debates swirl over foreign intervention in domestic security, Gumi’s remarks highlight fears of deepened divisions amid ongoing threats to communities across faiths.