Following reports of recent US-Nigeria airstrikes in Sokoto State Northe-West Nigeria, Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has called on the federal government to immediately stop all forms of military cooperation with the United States, warning that American involvement could worsen Nigeria’s security challenges and undermine the country’s sovereignty while acknowledging that Islam permits the fight against terrorism.
Sheikh Gumi made the call in a message he posted on his Facebook page on Friday, argued that such actions must only be carried out by what he described as “clean hands”, stating the United States lacks the moral authority to lead counter terrorism efforts, citing its global military record.
He said Nigeria made a mistake by allowing foreign powers to participate in its counterterrorism operations, insisting that foreign intervention often comes with hidden political motives.
Gumi cautioned that allowing Nigeria to become a theatre of war would attract anti-US forces into the country and further destabilise the nation. He warned that American involvement, especially under claims of protecting Christians, could polarise Nigeria along religious lines. The cleric further argued that airstrikes alone cannot defeat terrorism, stressing that effective counterterrorism requires strong ground operations.
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,” Gumi stated.
