A highly influential Islamic cleric in Nigeria has called on the government to immediately halt military cooperation with the United States, following a series of deadly airstrikes in the country’s northwest.
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a prominent figure known for his previous mediation efforts with armed groups, described the intervention as an infringement on national sovereignty. His comments follow a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, who confirmed that the “precision hits” were part of a structured intelligence-sharing agreement between Abuja and Washington.
While the Nigerian government insists the operations prioritise civilian safety, Sheikh Gumi warned that the US presence would turn Nigeria into a “theatre of war” by attracting international anti-American forces.
‘Protecting Christians’ rhetoric criticised
The cleric took particular aim at President Donald Trump’s assertion that the strikes were intended to stop the “slaughtering of Christians.” Gumi argued that such language is “symbolic of a neo-Crusade” and risks polarising a nation that is nearly evenly split between Muslims and Christians.
In a statement shared on social media, the cleric noted:
- Sovereignty: He argued that Nigeria should not allow its land to be used for foreign military interests.
- Alternative Partners: He urged the government to seek assistance from “neutral” countries such as China, Turkey, or Pakistan, rather than the US.
- Ground Operations: Gumi claimed that Nigeria has sufficient personnel for ground combat and that “dropping a few bombs” would not solve the underlying security crisis.
Calls for transparency
The airstrikes, which occurred on Christmas Day in Sokoto State—a predominantly Muslim region—have sparked a heated debate within Nigeria. Sheikh Gumi questioned the timing and location of the strikes, suggesting they targeted areas with “no imminent danger” while ignoring other hotspots of extremist activity.
“The US involvement in Nigeria, citing coming to ‘protect Christians’, will ultimately polarize our nation,” Gumi stated. He also called on residents in affected villages to upload photos and videos to document any potential civilian casualties.
The opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has also criticised the federal government, questioning why the US administration was the first to disclose the military action before a formal briefing was provided to the Nigerian public.
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