Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has criticised recent United States airstrikes on terrorist camps in north-western Nigeria, warning that the action could polarise the country and undermine its sovereignty.
Reacting in a Facebook post on Friday, Gumi said that while eliminating terrorists is an Islamic obligation, it should be carried out by Nigerians, not foreign forces.
“Annihilating terrorists is an Islamic duty, but it must be done by clean and holy hands, not foreign powers with a history of killing innocent people,” he said.
His comments followed confirmation by the Federal Government that the US carried out precision airstrikes in Sokoto State as part of ongoing intelligence and security cooperation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the collaboration respects Nigeria’s sovereignty and prioritises civilian protection.
Gumi, however, urged the Federal Government to suspend military cooperation with Washington, arguing that “no nation should allow its land to be a theatre of war.”
He warned that US involvement, framed as protecting Christians, “will ultimately polarise our nation and attract anti-US forces.”
The cleric also questioned the choice of Sokoto for the strikes, describing them as “symbolic of a neo-Crusade against Islam,” and insisted that terrorism cannot be defeated by airstrikes alone.
“Dropping bombs cannot tackle terror; Nigeria has enough men for serious military operations on the ground,” he said.
