By Huldah Shado
Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has criticised the recent airstrikes reportedly carried out by the United States on suspected terrorist camps in north-western Nigeria, warning that the action could polarise the country and undermine its sovereignty.
Gumi reacted on Friday following an announcement by US President Donald Trump that American forces had conducted “numerous deadly strikes” in north-western Nigeria. Trump said the strikes targeted Islamic State terrorists allegedly attacking Christian communities in the region.
The Federal Government later confirmed that Nigeria is engaged in security and intelligence cooperation with the United States. In a statement issued earlier in the week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the collaboration involved intelligence sharing and strategic coordination that led to precision airstrikes, adding that the operations were carried out in line with international law and Nigeria’s sovereignty, with civilian protection as a priority.
In a Facebook post on Friday, Gumi acknowledged that fighting terrorism is an Islamic obligation, citing the Prophet Muhammad’s stance against extremist groups. However, he argued that such actions should be carried out by Nigerians rather than foreign powers, which he accused of having a history of killing innocent civilians.
He urged the Federal Government to halt military cooperation with the United States and instead seek assistance from what he described as neutral countries such as China, Turkey and Pakistan. According to him, Nigeria has enough military personnel to tackle terrorism through sustained ground operations rather than airstrikes.
“As a principle, no nation should allow its land to be a theater of war,” Gumi said, warning that US involvement could attract global anti-US extremist groups and turn Nigeria into a wider battleground. He added that framing the intervention as an effort to “protect Christians” could deepen religious divisions and inflame tensions.
The cleric also described the reported airstrikes in Sokoto State, a predominantly Muslim area, as symbolic and dangerous, alleging that they resemble a neo-Crusade against Islam. He questioned the focus on areas he claimed pose limited immediate terrorist threats.
Gumi further argued that the US military presence in Nigeria could become a major political issue ahead of the 2027 general elections. He called on communities affected by the strikes to document and share evidence of any civilian casualties.
His comments have intensified public debate over foreign military involvement in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts, particularly in the North-West, where insecurity linked to banditry and extremist violence persists despite ongoing security operations.
