Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has urged the Federal Government to end all military cooperation with the United States, warning that reported US airstrikes could deepen Nigeria’s security crisis rather than resolve it.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page on Friday, Gumi argued that foreign military involvement threatens Nigeria’s sovereignty and risks turning the country into a battleground for external interests.
While acknowledging that Islam permits the fight against terrorism, the cleric insisted that such actions must be carried out by what he described as “clean hands.”
He questioned the moral credibility of the United States, citing its global military history as evidence that it lacks the authority to lead counterterrorism efforts in Nigeria.
Gumi maintained that Nigeria erred by opening its counterterrorism space to foreign powers, arguing that external interventions often result in civilian casualties and are driven by hidden political motives.
According to him, claims of fighting terrorism frequently mask broader strategic interests.
He further warned that allowing US military operations in Nigeria could attract anti-American forces, escalating violence and destabilising the country.
The cleric also cautioned that such involvement, especially when framed as protecting Christians, could heighten religious tensions and further divide the nation.
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Gumi stressed that airstrikes alone cannot defeat terrorism, noting that effective counterterrorism relies on well-coordinated ground operations.
He argued that Nigeria already has sufficient manpower to handle its security challenges if properly organised and equipped.
“No nation should allow its land to become a theatre of war, and no country should permit its neighbours to be turned into enemies,” he said.
He added that if Nigeria requires external military support, countries such as China, Turkey, and Pakistan would be better partners, describing them as capable of providing assistance without the complications he associates with Western intervention.