Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has called on the Federal Government to immediately halt all military cooperation with the United States following reported US airstrikes in parts of Nigeria.
Reacting to the development, Gumi urged the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review Nigeria’s security partnerships, warning that American involvement could worsen the country’s security challenges and undermine national sovereignty.
According to him, Nigeria has other viable options if it seeks external military assistance. “If Nigeria wants military assistance, China, Turkey and Pakistan can do the job effectively,” he said.
Gumi’s comments have, however, reignited public controversy around his long-standing positions on terrorism and banditry. Many Nigerians have continued to question his repeated calls for a “soft landing” for terrorists and bandits, arguing that such views downplay the suffering of victims of violence across the country.
In recent times, civil society groups and concerned citizens have openly called for his arrest and investigation, insisting that his engagements and public statements regarding armed groups should be thoroughly examined by security agencies.
The cleric’s remarks come amid growing national debate over foreign military involvement in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations and their implications for national security and diplomacy.
