Controversial Kaduna-based Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi has revealed that he was allegedly listed for elimination as a Boko Haram figure on the same morning a US-linked bombing took place in Nigeria.
Gumi spoke about the incident while recounting recent US air strikes targeting terror groups in the north-west and north-east of the country.
“There was a bombing here; the morning it happened, I received a call—I won’t tell you who called me—but I was told a security briefing was taking place and I was listed among those who will be eliminated as Boko Haram,” Gumi said.
The strikes, carried out on December 25, targeted members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Sokoto.
The operation followed a warning from former US President Donald Trump that the United States would enter Nigeria “guns-a-blazing to wipe out the terrorists killing Christians.”
Gumi strongly criticised foreign military involvement, arguing that it exacerbates insecurity instead of resolving it.
READ ALSO: “Halt US Military Ties Now or Risk Turning Nigeria Into War Zone” — Gumi
“They claim to have come here to fight terrorists, but they are the actual terrorists,” he said.
He also questioned the response of political and religious leaders in northern Nigeria, expressing frustration at what he described as inaction in the face of repeated attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP.
“The north, you all know they attacked, but where are your leaders and what have they done about it?” Gumi asked.
The cleric also criticised religious scholars for allegedly failing to challenge false claims made by terrorists and for providing support exclusively to Christians.
“They attacked us for false claims, and they give support of a certain amount of money to Christians alone. No country will accept that. Either you give support to the entire nation or we don’t need it,” Gumi said.
“It happens and nobody is talking; they are all afraid to talk. That’s the situation we are in this country.