Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has condemned the recent US airstrikes in Nigeria, calling them dangerous and a violation of national sovereignty. In a statement on Monday, Gumi warned that such foreign military operations, even when targeting terrorists, could escalate violence and cause more harm to innocent civilians.
He argued that the Nigerian government must avoid relying on Western powers for security solutions, especially the United States. According to him, repeated interventions by foreign nations often serve their strategic interests, not Nigeria’s peace or development. Gumi urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to seek alternative partners who would respect Nigeria’s independence and support peaceful solutions to insecurity.
“Airstrikes from foreign forces without full transparency raise serious ethical and legal questions,” Gumi said. He emphasised that peacebuilding efforts should include dialogue, justice, and investment in local communities. He advised the government to open communication channels with aggrieved groups, particularly in the North, instead of focusing only on military force.
Gumi also criticised Nigerian leaders who remain silent while foreign nations carry out military operations on Nigerian soil. He warned that such silence could be seen as complicity or weakness.
The cleric called on civil society, religious leaders, and traditional rulers to speak up and resist foreign control over national affairs. He said true security would come from within—through unity, fairness, and homegrown policies—not foreign warplanes.
His comments came days after the US confirmed it had launched airstrikes in Nigeria targeting suspected terrorists.
