Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has called on the Federal Government to immediately halt all forms of military cooperation with the United States following reports of recent US airstrikes in Nigeria.
Naijaonpoint reports that Gumi made the call in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Friday, warning that American involvement could worsen Nigeria’s security challenges and undermine the country’s sovereignty.
While acknowledging that Islam permits the fight against terrorism, the cleric argued that such actions must only be carried out by what he described as “clean hands.”
According to him, the United States lacks the moral authority to lead counterterrorism efforts, citing its global military record.
He said Nigeria made a mistake by allowing foreign powers to participate in its counterterrorism operations, insisting that foreign intervention often comes with hidden political motives.
Gumi cautioned that allowing Nigeria to become a theatre of war would attract anti-US forces into the country and further destabilise the nation.
“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.