Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has faulted the recent United States of America (USA) airstrikes on suspected terrorist hideouts in north-western Nigeria, warning that the action could deepen divisions in the country and undermine its sovereignty.
Gumi’s reaction followed comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said American forces carried out what he described as “numerous deadly strikes” against Islamic State (ISIS) fighters in the region.
Trump said the operation targeted militants accused of attacking Christians.
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had earlier confirmed that Nigeria is working with the United States on security and intelligence cooperation, which it said resulted in the precision strikes.
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The ministry explained that the partnership involves intelligence sharing and strategic coordination in line with international law, stressing that civilian protection and national unity remain central to all counter-terrorism efforts.
In a Facebook post on Friday, Gumi said fighting terrorists is a religious duty in Islam, referencing the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad on confronting violent groups.
However, he argued that such efforts should be carried out by “pure and holy hands,” not by foreign forces which, he claimed, have a history of harming innocent civilians.
The cleric called on the Federal Government to discontinue military collaboration with the United States and instead explore support from what he termed “neutral nations” such as China, Turkey and Pakistan.
He also expressed doubt about the effectiveness of air bombardments in ending terrorism, insisting that Nigeria has enough manpower to address the threat through ground operations rather than relying on foreign-led strikes.
“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 also described the airstrikes on Sokoto, a largely Muslim area, as symbolic of a neo-Crusade war against Islam and criticised the focus on regions with minimal immediate terrorist threats.
“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.
