Prominent Nigerian Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has urged President Bola Tinubu’s government to immediately suspend all military cooperation with the United States following U.S.-led airstrikes on Christmas Day in Sokoto State.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Gumi condemned the strikes against suspected Islamic State militants, warning that American involvement threatens Nigeria’s sovereignty and could worsen the country’s security crisis.
He argued that foreign intervention risks turning Nigeria into a proxy battlefield, polarizing society along religious lines, and causing civilian casualties.
Gumi emphasized that airstrikes alone cannot defeat terrorism and that Nigeria must rely on its own ground forces.
He questioned the U.S.’s “moral authority” to intervene and suggested seeking military support from countries like China, Turkey, or Pakistan instead.
The airstrikes, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump and confirmed by AFRICOM, targeted ISIS operatives accused of attacking Christian communities.
Nigerian officials described the operation as a joint effort under existing bilateral security agreements.
Gumi’s remarks, consistent with his long-standing advocacy for dialogue over military escalation, have sparked debate on social media.
Supporters praise his defense of national independence, while critics accuse him of undermining counter-terrorism efforts.
The Nigerian government has not yet responded publicly to the cleric’s demands, however, the incident highlights ongoing tensions between foreign assistance and self-reliance in addressing Nigeria’s persistent insurgency challenges.
Source: AFRIPOST