Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has urged the Federal Government to suspend all military partnerships with the United States in the wake of reports alleging recent US airstrikes on Nigerian soil.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page on Friday, Gumi warned that American involvement in Nigeria’s security operations could aggravate existing challenges and pose a threat to the nation’s sovereignty.
While noting that Islam allows the fight against terrorism, the cleric maintained that such efforts should only be undertaken by actors he described as having “clean hands.”
He questioned the moral credibility of the United States to spearhead counterterrorism initiatives, pointing to its history of military interventions around the world.
Gumi further argued that Nigeria erred in opening its counterinsurgency operations to foreign powers, claiming that external involvement is often driven by concealed political interests rather than genuine security concerns.
He also cautioned that turning Nigeria into a battleground for global powers could draw anti-American elements into the country, potentially worsening instability and insecurity nationwide.
“This is the mistake Nigeria has made. Terrorists don’t fight terrorists in truth; they may only kill innocent people and have ulterior motives behind the drama of fighting ‘terror’,” he said.
He warned that American involvement, especially under claims of protecting Christians, could polarise Nigeria along religious lines.
The cleric further argued that airstrikes alone cannot defeat terrorism, stressing that effective counterterrorism requires strong ground operations.
“As a principle, no nation should allow its land to be a theater of war. And no nation should allow its neighbors to be their enemies.
“If Nigeria wants military assistance, China, Turkey, and Pakistan can do the job effectively,” Gumi stated.
