Gumi to FG: Cease All US Military Cooperation Now
Prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government, insisting that Nigeria must Cease All US Military Cooperation
Prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has called on the Nigerian government to immediately cease all military cooperation with the United States following recent precision airstrikes in the Northwest. The Kaduna-based cleric, known for his controversial views on domestic security and his past mediation efforts with bandit groups, issued the warning in a formal statement released on Friday, December 26, 2025. Gumi’s intervention comes amid intense national debate over the involvement of the U.S. Department of War in Nigerian internal security operations, which successfully dismantled several insurgent strongholds in Sokoto State.
Sheikh Gumi argued that permitting a foreign power to conduct kinetic operations on Nigerian soil poses a serious threat to the nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. He expressed concern that, although these strikes target designated “terrorist” hubs, they could result in collateral damage and further radicalize local communities. According to the cleric, the “guns-a-blazing” approach endorsed by the current U.S. administration under President Donald Trump fails to address the socio-economic roots of insecurity in the North. He warned that continued collaboration with foreign forces risks transforming the region into a proxy battleground for global powers, potentially fueling a cycle of ongoing violence.
The cleric also criticized the Nigerian government for relying on “external solutions” to address domestic challenges. Gumi has long promoted non-kinetic strategies, including amnesty programs and dialogue with disgruntled groups in forested areas, emphasizing that poverty and lack of education are primary drivers of insecurity. He contended that the use of Tomahawk missiles and advanced drone technology by foreign forces may offer short-term tactical gains but will not achieve lasting peace. Instead, he urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to focus on domestic intelligence-led operations and community engagement rather than what he termed the “lethal interventionism” of the United States.
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Gumi’s statement has sparked widespread reactions across the political spectrum. While some agree that foreign military presence could complicate local dynamics, many security experts and government officials argue that the complexity of the ISWAP and ISIS threat requires the advanced technological capabilities that only international partnerships can provide. As the debate continues, the Presidency has reaffirmed its commitment to the U.S.-Nigeria security collaboration, making Sheikh Gumi’s call to Cease All US Military Cooperation a polarizing point in the ongoing discussion over the future of security in Northern Nigeria. For more information, I recommend Songbux.