Controversial Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has warned that any attempt by the United States to launch military strikes in Nigeria would worsen insecurity rather than solve it.
Speaking on Arise TV on Monday, Gumi described America as a “nation of liars” and accused it of destabilising other countries under the guise of fighting terrorism.
He cited U.S. failures in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya as proof that military interventions only bring destruction and chaos.
“America are known to be liars,” Gumi declared. “They said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction — there were none. They caused confusion in Iraq and Libya. Now they say they want to bomb terrorists in Nigeria? I don’t believe them.”
He argued that U.S. airstrikes in Nigeria would only lead to massive civilian casualties and deepen existing religious and ethnic divisions.
“These terrorists have infiltrated society. Dropping bombs won’t solve anything; it will only kill more Muslims and Christians. You will compound the problem,” Gumi warned.
The Kaduna-based cleric, known for his controversial peace missions to meet armed bandits in northern forests, said negotiation remained the best solution.
“I have been trying to pacify these people and redirect them,” he explained. “They are human beings. They listen and reason. Using force against force will only make the problem worse.”
Gumi said that despite years of effort, the Nigerian military had not been able to end the Boko Haram insurgency or stop rampant banditry.
He doubted that a foreign army could succeed where local forces had struggled for over 15 years.
“If our own army, with all its experience, cannot end this war, how can America succeed by bombing from the sky?” he asked.
The cleric also claimed progress in Kaduna, saying relative peace had been restored because of direct dialogue with armed groups.
“Now, Kaduna is relatively safe. We understand their psychology, and they are no longer attacking. It is a gradual process. Slowly, we will civilize them and make them good citizens,” he said.
Gumi concluded by warning that an American-led bombing campaign would only “make the problem dirty” and cause further instability across northern Nigeria.