Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has reacted to reports of United States-led airstrikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria, cautioning that dropping bombs alone will not end terrorism in the country.
In a statement shared on his official Facebook page on Friday, Gumi called on the Federal Government to halt all forms of military cooperation with the United States, warning that continued engagement could aggravate Nigeria’s security challenges and undermine its sovereignty.
While acknowledging that Islam permits resistance against terrorism, the cleric argued that such efforts must be carried out by what he described as “clean hands.” He questioned the moral authority of the United States to lead counterterrorism efforts, citing its history of military interventions and civilian casualties in different parts of the world.
Gumi maintained that Nigeria made a mistake by allowing foreign involvement in its fight against insurgency, insisting that external interventions often come with hidden political interests and result in the loss of innocent lives rather than lasting security solutions.
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He further warned that turning Nigeria into a battleground for foreign powers could attract hostile anti-US elements into the country, thereby deepening instability. According to him, limited airstrikes without sustained and coordinated ground operations would not defeat terrorism.
The cleric also expressed concern that US involvement, framed as protection of certain groups, could polarize the nation along religious lines and infringe on Nigeria’s sovereignty. He advised the government to seek military assistance from what he described as more neutral countries if external support becomes necessary.
Gumi added that Nigeria has sufficient manpower to confront terrorism internally if there is serious commitment and proper coordination, stressing that sustainable security requires comprehensive ground operations rather than symbolic attacks.
His comments come amid ongoing debates over Nigeria’s security partnerships following recent airstrikes reportedly linked to intelligence cooperation between Nigerian authorities and international partners.