Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has spoken out against the United States’ reported airstrikes on suspected ISIS camps in North-West Nigeria, which were carried out on Christmas night, December 25.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page, Gumi faulted Nigeria’s cooperation with the US in the military operation, arguing that the fight against terrorism should not involve what he described as foreign powers with questionable global records.
According to the cleric, eliminating terrorist groups is a legitimate obligation, but he maintained that such actions should be conducted by forces he described as morally credible, rather than external actors he accused of causing large-scale civilian casualties in other parts of the world.
Gumi further questioned the effectiveness of aerial bombardments, stating that sporadic airstrikes alone cannot resolve the challenge of terrorism.
He argued that a successful campaign would require sustained ground operations, adding that Nigeria possesses sufficient military personnel to handle such efforts if there is genuine political will.
The cleric also warned that foreign military involvement could turn Nigeria into a battleground for global conflicts, potentially attracting anti-Western extremist groups and deepening internal divisions.
Gumi expressed concern that the justification of protecting religious groups could further polarise the country and undermine national sovereignty.
The cleric urged the Nigerian government to immediately suspend military cooperation with the United States, suggesting that countries such as China, Turkey, or Pakistan would be more suitable partners if external assistance is required.
In his remarks, Gumi also claimed that the timing and location of the strikes raised questions, particularly given Nigeria’s broader security challenges in other regions. He described the airstrikes as symbolic and cautioned that they could be interpreted as part of a wider agenda against Islam.
He concluded by calling on communities affected by the operation to document and share evidence of any civilian casualties, while warning that the issue could become a major topic in Nigeria’s political discourse ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Federal Government has yet to issue a response to Sheikh Gumi’s comments as public debate continues over the implications of the reported airstrikes.
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