Airstrikes: “Halt Military Cooperation with US Immediately” – Sheikh Gumi Tells Tinubu Government

Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has called on President Tinubu’s administration to immediately suspend all military cooperation with the United States following recent reports of US airstrikes in Nigeria.

In a statement shared on his Facebook page on Friday, Gumi warned that foreign military involvement could worsen Nigeria’s security challenges and compromise national sovereignty.

While acknowledging that Islam allows fighting terrorism, Gumi argued that such efforts should be led by parties with “clean hands.” He questioned the United States’ moral authority, citing its global military record.

The cleric criticized Nigeria’s decision to involve foreign powers in counterterrorism operations, asserting that “terrorists do not truly fight terrorists” and that such interventions often result in civilian casualties and serve hidden political interests. He also cautioned that US operations, particularly those framed as protecting Christians, could deepen religious divisions in the country.

Gumi emphasized that airstrikes alone cannot defeat terrorism, stressing the importance of well-organized ground operations, which he said Nigeria is capable of conducting with its own forces.

He suggested that if Nigeria seeks foreign military support, countries such as China, Turkey, and Pakistan could provide more effective assistance.