By Joe Udo
ABUJA (CONVERSEER) – Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately terminate all military cooperation between Nigeria and the United States following reported US air strikes on terrorist targets in the country’s northwest region.
The call followed a statement by US President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, claiming responsibility for ordering strikes against what he described as ISIS-linked terrorists attacking Christian communities in the northwest. Trump said the operation, executed through the Department of War, was aimed at stopping the “slaughtering of Christians” and vowed further action if such killings continued.
Hours later, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the strikes, describing them as part of ongoing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States. The ministry explained that both nations have been engaged in structured collaboration involving intelligence exchanges, strategic coordination, and support for counterterrorism operations in line with international law and bilateral agreements.
Gumi, in a statement issued via his Facebook page on Friday, condemned the development as a violation of Nigeria’s sovereignty and warned that foreign military involvement could destabilise the country. He argued that Nigeria should not permit its territory to become a battleground for foreign powers, cautioning that such actions risk drawing anti-US forces into the region and further complicating national security.
READ ALSO: Nigeria confirms US-assisted air strikes on terrorists
While acknowledging that Islam permits fighting terrorism, Gumi said such responsibility should be carried out with “clean, holy hands,” alleging that the United States lacks moral standing due to its global military record. He maintained that “terrorists do not truly fight terrorists,” suggesting that foreign forces often cause civilian casualties and may pursue hidden political agendas.
The cleric further warned that US involvement framed around protecting Christians risked deepening religious divisions in Nigeria, particularly as the strike occurred in a predominantly Muslim area on Christmas Eve. He cautioned that such narratives could polarise the country and undermine national cohesion.
He urged the Federal Government to seek military support from what he referred to as more neutral countries such as China, Turkey, and Pakistan, asserting that Nigeria has enough personnel to confront insecurity if properly mobilised. Gumi also dismissed the long-term effectiveness of air strikes, insisting that lasting counterterrorism outcomes require well-structured ground operations.
He advised affected communities to document and release evidence of any civilian casualties for transparency, warning that the issue is likely to become a key topic in political discussions ahead of the 2027 elections.
