The prominent Islamic scholar based in Kaduna, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has been vocal in his opposition to such external interventions, maintaining that foreign military presence often serves to exacerbate the security crisis rather than offering a sustainable solution.
He questioned the fundamental definitions used by international powers to label groups as insurgents.
Addressing his followers in a video that has since gained significant traction on social media platforms, specifically through the account of X user General Somto.
He said, “Even Americans said they came to fight terrorists, so who are the terrorists? They are the ones.”
Furthermore, the cleric accused the United States of being complicit in the historical rise of Boko Haram and suggested that the current instability and deep-seated social fractures in Nigeria are being aggravated by foreign policies and narratives linked to the Trump administration.
Gumi expressed deep dissatisfaction with the response of the Northern Nigerian political and religious elite, accusing them of passivity in the face of these challenges.
He questioned why those in positions of power have remained quiet while the region faces such turmoil. Additionally, he criticised the nature of international humanitarian aid, alleging that it is often distributed on a sectarian basis that favours the Christian community over the general population.
He argued that such selective support is unacceptable and that any assistance should be inclusive of the entire nation or rejected entirely. Gumi concluded by lamenting the atmosphere of fear that he believes has prevented many from speaking out against the current state of affairs in the country.
