Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has publicly condemned the recent U.S. airstrikes on terrorist camps in north-western Nigeria, warning that such actions could deepen divisions and undermine national sovereignty.
Gumi’s comments followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that American forces had conducted “numerous deadly strikes” targeting Islamic State militants allegedly threatening Christian communities. The Nigerian Federal Government confirmed ongoing security and intelligence collaboration with the U.S., emphasizing that the operations adhere to international law and prioritize civilian protection.
In a Facebook post on Friday, Gumi acknowledged the Islamic imperative to combat terrorism but argued that such action should be executed by “clean, holy hands” rather than foreign powers, which he accused of a history of harming civilians. He urged the Nigerian government to discontinue military cooperation with the U.S. and instead seek support from “neutral countries” such as China, Turkey, and Pakistan. Gumi stressed that airstrikes alone cannot resolve the terrorism threat, highlighting Nigeria’s capacity to conduct ground operations.
He further warned that U.S. involvement could provoke anti-American sentiment, polarize the nation, and compromise sovereignty, stating: “No nation should allow its land to be a theater of war. The USA’s involvement… will ultimately polarize our nation and infringe on our sovereignty.” He also called on affected communities to document and share any civilian casualties resulting from the strikes.
Gumi criticized the targeting of Sokoto, a predominantly Muslim area, describing the strikes as symbolic of a “neo-Crusade war against Islam,” and questioned the focus on regions with minimal immediate terrorist activity while other high-risk areas, such as Maiduguri, faced greater threats. He suggested that some of the terrorism may be artificially sustained by those claiming to combat it.#newsafro_
