ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — Nigerian Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi on Thursday condemned the recent U.S. military strikes on extremist targets in Sokoto, calling the operation a “neo‑Crusade war” and urging the federal government to immediately halt all military cooperation with Washington.
Gumi, a prominent figure in national security debates, said Nigeria made a “mistake” by allowing foreign forces to conduct operations on its soil. The U.S. mission marked the first time in Nigeria’s history that a foreign military has carried out a strike inside the country, a development that has fueled intense political and public scrutiny.
“The government must stop the Americans now,” Gumi said in a statement. He warned that continued U.S. involvement could turn northern Nigeria into a “theatre of war” and attract anti‑American militant groups to the region. He argued that the strikes risk inflaming tensions in the predominantly Muslim North and could worsen insecurity rather than resolve it.
Gumi who stopped short of calling on the Nigerian government to retaliate against the United States, has repeatedly urged the Nigerian government to “immediately halt all forms of military cooperation” with Washington and formally demand an end to the strikes.
The cleric has long been a controversial voice in Nigeria’s security landscape. Critics have accused him of sympathizing with armed groups in the North because of his past outreach to bandit leaders and his calls for negotiations rather than military action. Earlier this year, Gumi was reportedly denied entry into Saudi Arabia, a move that drew national attention and renewed debate over his influence and activities. Saudi authorities did not publicly disclose the reason for the decision.
The U.S. strike, carried out with Abuja’s approval, targeted an extremist cell linked to regional insurgent networks. American officials said the mission was coordinated with Nigerian authorities, though details of the operation have not been released.
The action has sparked a broader debate over sovereignty, security, and the government’s handling of terrorism. Supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu say the cooperation with Washington demonstrates a willingness to take decisive action against extremist groups that have destabilized northern Nigeria for more than a decade. Critics argue the strike exposes the government’s inability to secure the country without foreign intervention.
The controversy comes as political tensions rise ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Tinubu widely expected to seek a second term. Analysts say the U.S. strike — the first foreign military action on Nigerian soil — has become a flashpoint in discussions about his leadership and the state of national security.
The Nigerian government has not responded directly to Gumi’s remarks but has defended its decision to authorize the U.S. mission, saying the operation was aimed at protecting civilians and degrading extremist networks.
As the debate continues, Gumi’s comments have added a new layer of political and religious sensitivity to an already volatile moment, underscoring the deep divisions over how Nigeria should confront terrorism — and who should be allowed to help.
