Sheikh Gumi Rejects US Air Operations, Urges Nigeria to Seek New Allies

Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has criticized the recent United States airstrikes on terrorist camps in north-western Nigeria, warning that the action could deepen national divisions and undermine the country’s sovereignty.

Gumi’s remarks followed an announcement by US President Donald Trump that American forces had carried out “numerous deadly strikes” targeting Islamic State terrorists in the region. Trump said the operations were aimed at militants attacking Christians, a claim later acknowledged by the Federal Government, which confirmed ongoing security and intelligence cooperation with the United States.

In a statement, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the collaboration involved intelligence sharing and strategic coordination that resulted in precision airstrikes conducted in line with international law and with respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty. The ministry added that all counter-terrorism efforts prioritize civilian protection and national unity.

Reacting in a Facebook post on Friday, Gumi said while eliminating terrorists is an obligation in Islam, such actions should be carried out by what he described as “clean, holy hands,” rather than foreign powers. He accused the United States of a history of military interventions that have resulted in civilian casualties.

The cleric called on the Federal Government to suspend military cooperation with the US and instead seek assistance from what he described as neutral countries, including China, Turkey, and Pakistan. He argued that foreign airstrikes alone could not effectively address terrorism and maintained that Nigeria has sufficient manpower to conduct ground operations if properly mobilized.

Gumi warned that US involvement in Nigeria could attract anti-American militant groups and turn the country into a theatre of wider conflict. He also cautioned that framing the intervention as a move to “protect Christians” could further polarize the nation and inflame religious tensions.

He described the airstrikes on Sokoto State, a predominantly Muslim area, as symbolic and questioned the focus on the region, arguing that more severe terrorist threats exist elsewhere, such as in the North-East. According to him, the timing and location of the attacks raise concerns about broader geopolitical and religious implications.

The cleric further alleged that the terror threat was being exaggerated or sustained by the same actors claiming to combat it, and he urged communities affected by the strikes to document and share evidence of any civilian casualties.

Gumi concluded that the issue could become a major topic in national political discourse ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that Nigerians should critically assess foreign military involvement in the country’s security challenges.