COMMENTARY
“If Nigeria wants military assistance, China, Turkey, and Pakistan can do the job effectively.” — Sheikh Ahmad Gumi Says, Faults U.S. Role in Nigeria’s Counterterrorism Efforts, Urges Shift to China, Turkey, Pakistan Amid Airstrike Reports
Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has criticized Nigeria’s reported reliance on the United States in its counterterrorism operations, arguing that the country should have instead sought military assistance from nations such as Pakistan, Turkey, and China.
Gumi made the remarks while reacting to reports of U.S. involvement in airstrikes against terrorist targets in Nigeria, a development he described as a strategic error with far-reaching consequences. He urged the Federal Government to immediately suspend all forms of military cooperation with Washington, warning that such alliances could worsen insecurity rather than resolve it.
In a Facebook post on Friday, the cleric acknowledged that the elimination of terrorists is religiously justified in Islam but stressed that such actions must be carried out by actors he considers morally credible.
According to him, the credibility of those executing military operations is as important as the objective itself.
He maintained that Nigeria erred by allowing the United States to participate in its security operations, claiming that violent foreign actors often pursue hidden agendas that eventually lead to civilian casualties. Gumi warned that these outcomes not only deepen public distrust but also inflame existing social and religious tensions.
The cleric further argued that no sovereign nation should allow its territory to become a theatre of war or permit neighbouring states to be turned into enemies, cautioning that foreign military involvement could seriously undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and regional stability.
According to him, if external military assistance is deemed unavoidable, Nigeria should turn to countries he described as more neutral in global conflicts, specifically naming China, Turkey, and Pakistan as better alternatives.
Gumi also warned that U.S. involvement could draw anti-American forces into Nigeria, escalate insecurity, and deepen religious divisions, particularly if military actions are framed as protecting one religious group over another.
“As a principle, no nation should allow its land to be a theater of war. And no nation should allow its neighbors to be their enemies.
“If Nigeria wants military assistance, China, Turkey, and Pakistan can do the job effectively.
“The US involvement in Nigeria will attract the real anti-US forces, making our land the theater of war. The USA’s involvement in Nigeria, citing coming to ‘protect Christians’, will ultimately polarize our nation and infringe on our sovereignty,” he said.
Beyond foreign involvement, the cleric also questioned the effectiveness of airstrikes as a standalone strategy, insisting that aerial bombardments alone cannot resolve Nigeria’s deep-seated security challenges. He argued that terrorism can only be effectively tackled through sustained and well-coordinated ground operations.
Gumi added that Nigeria possesses sufficient manpower to confront terrorist threats if there is genuine political will and commitment to address the problem comprehensively.
He further called on communities affected by military operations to document and share evidence of any civilian casualties, urging transparency and accountability in security engagements. He also questioned the focus of reported airstrikes on areas such as Sokoto, which he claimed faces no immediate terrorist threat, while regions like Maiduguri continue to bear the brunt of insurgent violence.
In a final note of caution, Gumi alleged that terrorism in Nigeria is being created and sustained by the same actors who publicly claim to be fighting it, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant, discerning, and critical of official narratives surrounding the country’s security crisis.