Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, has ignited fresh outrage after blasting Nigerians who praised the recent United States airstrikes on extremist camps in Sokoto State, branding them “stupid” and accusing them of betraying the nation.
The airstrikes, reportedly carried out with Nigeria’s approval, targeted Islamic State-linked militant hideouts in Sokoto.
Authorities said the attacks were precision operations based on intelligence supplied by Abuja to weaken insurgent networks.
Gumi, however, condemned the foreign military involvement, insisting it threatens Nigeria’s sovereignty and security.
He called on the federal government to immediately halt the cooperation and demand the withdrawal of U.S. forces.
“The Nigeria government should call the attention of the ambassadors concerned to immediately withdraw the US military intervention on Nigeria insurgency fight,” he said.
Reacting in a video message, the cleric turned his fire on Nigerians who welcomed the strikes, warning that their support was dangerous and short-sighted.
“This is nothing but a betrayal of our Nigerians. Some people will be saying that since we cannot end the insecurity and we have United States government intervention, why don’t we gladly accept the help?” he said.
“There are stupid people whose thinking faculty is very small; they are the ones who will think so.”
Gumi went further to accuse United States President Donald Trump of global bloodshed, saying Nigeria should have nothing to do with him.
“This person (US President Donald Trump) must be stopped and chased out. This is a person that has his hands stained with the blood of children and adults,” he said.
“How can you call for assistance from a thief when they enter your house?”
In a Facebook statement titled ‘The Symbolism of the US Strike’, Gumi argued that Nigeria had made a strategic blunder by aligning with Washington, insisting that “terrorists don’t fight terrorists in truth; they may only kill innocent people and have ulterior motives behind the drama of fighting ‘terror.’”
He warned that allowing foreign troops on Nigerian soil could turn the country into a battlefield and strain relations with neighbouring states, adding that such interventions often come with hidden agendas.
“If Nigeria wants military assistance, China, Turkey, and Pakistan can do the job effectively,” he said, warning that U.S. involvement would “attract the real anti-US forces, making our land the theatre of war.”
Gumi also cautioned that American intervention, especially under the guise of protecting Christians, could inflame religious tensions and ultimately undermine Nigeria’s national sovereignty.
