Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has warned that United States military involvement in Nigeria, especially under the narrative of protecting Christians, could deepen religious divisions and threaten the country’s sovereignty.
Gumi made the remarks while reacting to recent U.S. airstrikes on ISIS targets in North-West Nigeria.
“The USA’s involvement in Nigeria, citing coming to ‘protect Christians’, will ultimately polarise our nation and infringe on our sovereignty,” the cleric said.
He argued that airstrikes alone cannot solve Nigeria’s security challenges, insisting that sustained ground operations are more effective.
“Dropping a few bombs here and there cannot tackle the menace of terror; they need serious military on the ground, which, if we are serious, we have enough men to do that,” Gumi said.
The cleric also urged communities affected by the strikes to document and share evidence of any civilian casualties, stressing the need for transparency and accountability.
Raising further concerns, Gumi questioned the timing and location of the strikes, warning that they could inflame religious sentiments.
“The attacks are symbolic of a harbinger of a neo-Crusade war against Islam,” he claimed.
“An attack on Sokoto, where over 90 per cent are Muslim with no imminent danger of terror, while the real threat is in Maiduguri, and on a Christmas Eve, with the claim of protecting against Christian genocide, says a lot.”
Gumi’s comments followed an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said the United States carried out a “powerful and deadly” strike against ISIS militants in North-West Nigeria.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the operation targeted militants responsible for the killing of “innocent Christians” and was ordered by him in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has confirmed that the airstrikes were carried out in collaboration with Nigerian authorities.
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In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Nigeria remains engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States, to combat terrorism and violent extremism.
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“This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North-West,” the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said.
Nigerian authorities have consistently maintained that insecurity in the country is not religiously motivated, noting that victims of terrorist attacks cut across faiths and ethnic groups.
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