Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has criticised the recent United States airstrikes on terrorist camps in north-western Nigeria, warning that the action could undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty, deepen religious divisions and turn the country into a theatre of proxy war.
Gumi’s remarks followed an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump that American forces had carried out what he described as “numerous deadly strikes” against Islamic State-linked terrorists operating in Nigeria’s North-West. Trump said the strikes were aimed at protecting Christian communities allegedly targeted by extremist groups.
Nigeria’s Federal Government later confirmed the airstrikes, stating that they were conducted under an existing framework of security and intelligence cooperation between Abuja and Washington.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government said the collaboration involved intelligence sharing and strategic coordination in line with international law and Nigeria’s sovereignty, adding that all counter-terrorism efforts prioritised civilian protection and national unity.
However, reacting in a Facebook post on Friday, Gumi condemned the U.S. military action, arguing that while fighting terrorism is a moral and religious obligation, it should not be carried out by foreign powers.
According to him, annihilating terrorists is an Islamic duty, noting that Prophet Muhammad had expressed the wish to eliminate violent extremists. He stressed, however, that such actions should be undertaken by what he described as “clean and holy hands,” not by foreign nations with controversial military records.
Gumi warned that allowing the United States to conduct airstrikes on Nigerian soil could attract global anti-U.S. militant groups and escalate insecurity rather than resolve it.
“As a principle, no nation should allow its land to be a theatre of war, and no nation should allow its neighbours to become enemies,” the cleric said.
He urged the Federal Government to immediately halt military cooperation with the United States, accusing Washington of imperial tendencies and warning that its involvement could polarise Nigeria along religious lines.
Gumi further argued that the framing of the airstrikes as a mission to “protect Christians” was dangerous in a multi-religious country like Nigeria and could inflame tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The U.S. involvement in Nigeria, citing protection of Christians, will ultimately polarise our nation and infringe on our sovereignty. Nigerians are too educated to be played with. This will become a major campaign discourse in 2027,” he said.
The cleric also criticised the timing and location of the strikes, describing the bombing of areas in Sokoto State — a predominantly Muslim region — as symbolic and unnecessary.
He described the attacks as reminiscent of a “neo-Crusade” against Islam, questioning why airstrikes were conducted in areas he said had no immediate terrorist threat, while insurgency hotspots such as Maiduguri remained under pressure.
Gumi dismissed aerial bombardment as an ineffective solution to terrorism, insisting that Nigeria has sufficient manpower to confront insurgents through sustained ground operations.
“Dropping a few bombs here and there cannot tackle terrorism. What is needed is serious military engagement on the ground, and Nigeria has enough men to do that if we are truly serious,” he said.
He also called on communities affected by the strikes to document and publish evidence of any civilian casualties, including videos and photographs, to ensure transparency and accountability.
The controversy over the U.S. airstrikes has continued to generate intense debate across Nigeria, with critics questioning the implications for national sovereignty, while supporters argue that foreign assistance is necessary to defeat entrenched terrorist networks.
