Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has called on the Federal Government to immediately suspend all military cooperation with the United States following reports of U.S. airstrikes in Nigeria.
Gumi warned that American involvement in Nigeria’s security operations could worsen the country’s security challenges and undermine its sovereignty. He made the call in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Friday.
While acknowledging that Islam permits the fight against terrorism, the cleric argued that such efforts should only be carried out by what he described as “clean hands,” insisting that the United States lacks the moral authority to lead counterterrorism efforts due to its global military history.
According to him, Nigeria erred by allowing foreign powers to play active roles in its counterterrorism operations, maintaining that “terrorists do not truly fight terrorists” and that foreign interventions often result in civilian casualties and hidden political agendas.
Gumi cautioned that turning Nigeria into a theatre of war could attract anti-U.S. forces into the country, further destabilising the nation. He also warned that claims of protecting Christians could deepen religious divisions and polarise the country.
The cleric further argued that airstrikes alone are insufficient to defeat terrorism, stressing that effective counterterrorism requires coordinated ground operations. He said Nigeria has enough security personnel to tackle insecurity if properly organised and equipped.
“No nation should allow its land to become a theatre of war, and no nation should allow its neighbours to be turned into enemies,” he said.
Gumi added that if Nigeria requires military assistance, countries such as China, Turkey and Pakistan could provide support without the risks associated with U.S. involvement.
