By: Manoah Kikekon
 |
| Sheikh Gumi |
Sokoto, Nigeria – In a fiery statement that has ignited debate on national sovereignty and foreign intervention, Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has called on the Nigerian government to immediately suspend all military cooperation with the United States.
This urgent demand follows reports of U.S.-conducted airstrikes targeting Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist elements within Nigerian territory.
Dr. Gumi issued the stark warning via his official Facebook page, vehemently criticizing the presence of U.S. military operations on Nigerian soil. He labeled such involvement a direct threat to the nation's sovereignty and a potential catalyst for internal division.
While unequivocally stating that combating terrorism is an Islamic obligation, Gumi drew a sharp distinction on who should wield the sword. He argued that the fight must be led by "clean and holy hands," a standard he claims foreign powers, particularly the U.S., fail to meet due to a history he alleges is "stained with the blood of hundreds of thousands of innocent" civilians.
"Annihilating terrorists is an Islamic obligation," Gumi stated, citing prophetic tradition. "But it should only be carried out by clean, holy hands, not by another terrorist."
The cleric asserted that Nigeria committed a "grave mistake" by permitting foreign military action, positing that "terrorists do not fight terrorists in truth." He warned that U.S. involvement risks transforming Nigeria into a proxy war theatre, attracting anti-American forces and exacerbating regional instability.
Gumi specifically criticized the potential for religious polarization, arguing that operations framed as protecting Christians could dangerously split the nation along sectarian lines. "Coming under the pretext of 'protecting Christians' will polarise our nation and infringe on our sovereignty," he cautioned.
The scholar questioned the strategic rationale behind reported airstrikes in Sokoto State, an area he described as overwhelmingly Muslim and not a primary terrorism hotspot. He contrasted this with persistent threats in regions like Maiduguri, suggesting the chosen target was symbolic and politically motivated.
"The attack on Sokoto... on Christmas Eve, with claims of protecting against Christian genocide, says a lot," Gumi remarked. "We believe the terror is manufactured and sustained by the same people claiming to fight it."
As an alternative, Dr. Gumi proposed that Nigeria seek security assistance from what he termed "neutral" countries—specifically naming China, Turkey, and Pakistan—to avoid the "geopolitical baggage" associated with Western powers.
Beyond geopolitical concerns, Gumi challenged the tactical effectiveness of foreign aerial campaigns. He insisted that sporadic bombardments are insufficient to root out entrenched insecurity, advocating instead for comprehensive, sustained ground operations led by national forces.