US airstrikes a ‘Neo-crusade against Islam’ – Gumi

Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has criticised the recent United States airstrikes in northwest Nigeria, describing the operation as symbolic, dangerous and capable of turning Nigeria into a theatre of war.

Reacting to the strikes, Gumi argued that while Islam permits the elimination of terrorists, such actions should not be carried out by what he described as “another terrorist force with ulterior motives.”

Quoting a Hadith, Gumi said Islam allows the annihilation of extremists but insisted that such actions must be carried out by “clean and holy hands,” not by foreign powers with a history of violence against civilians.

“This is the mistake Nigeria has made. Terrorists do not truly fight terrorists; they often end up killing innocent people while pursuing hidden agendas,” he said.

Gumi warned that allowing U.S. military operations on Nigerian soil would attract global anti-U.S. forces, exposing the country to wider conflict and undermining its sovereignty.

“No nation should allow its land to become a theatre of war, and no nation should allow its neighbours to become enemies,” he stated.

The cleric further cautioned that the U.S. justification of the strikes as an effort to “protect Christians” could polarise Nigeria along religious lines, worsening internal divisions.

According to him, Nigeria should immediately halt military cooperation with the United States and instead seek assistance from what he described as more neutral countries such as China, Turkey and Pakistan.

Gumi also expressed concern that the strikes were carried out in Sokoto State, a predominantly Muslim area, rather than regions like Maiduguri, which he described as the epicentre of terrorist threats.

He questioned the timing of the operation on Christmas Eve, saying it raises troubling implications.

“The attacks are symbolic of a harbinger of a neo-Crusade war against Islam,” Gumi alleged, claiming that terrorism in the region is “manufactured and sustained by the same forces claiming to fight it.”

He insisted that airstrikes alone cannot defeat terrorism, urging Nigeria to deploy serious ground forces, noting that the country has sufficient manpower.

Gumi also called on communities affected by the strikes to document and share evidence of any civilian casualties.

“This issue will form part of the 2027 campaign discourse. Nigerians are too educated to be played with,” he added.

The comment comes hours after U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that American forces carried out airstrikes against ISIS targets in Nigeria.