Controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has opposed growing calls for possible United States military involvement in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts, warning that foreign intervention could worsen the country’s security challenges.
In a Facebook post on Monday, Gumi said Nigeria must be careful about external military partnerships, insisting that national sovereignty should not be compromised in the name of security cooperation.
He argued that Nigeria’s security forces are capable of defeating insurgency and banditry, provided operations are conducted with fairness, discipline, transparency, and proper adherence to rules of engagement.
Gumi cautioned that inviting foreign forces, particularly from the U.S., could escalate violence and potentially attract international extremist groups into the country, turning Nigeria into a new hotspot for global terrorism.
He wrote that military operations could succeed internally if managed without prejudice or deception in both force application and funding, adding that external involvement might “increase violence unnecessarily.”
The cleric also dismissed claims that dialogue and amnesty programmes have weakened the fight against groups such as Boko Haram, describing such arguments as misleading.
Boko Haram has continued its insurgency for nearly two decades, despite the killing of its founder, Mohammed Yusuf, in 2009.
Gumi has consistently advocated for non-kinetic approaches to insecurity, including negotiations with armed groups — a position that has sparked debate in Nigeria. Critics say it undermines military pressure on terrorists, while supporters argue it could reduce violence and support peace efforts.
He maintained that lasting peace requires justice, accountability, and reforms within security operations, warning that failure to address alleged abuses could prolong the conflict and deepen resentment in affected communities.
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