Gumi also alleged corruption within Nigeria’s security system, claiming that funds meant for modern weapons are mismanaged.
Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, has kicked against the bombing of terrorists in Nigeria, arguing that military bombardment cannot end terrorism because it is rooted in ideology.
Speaking in an interview with TrustTV, published on Tuesday, Gumi insisted that the use of force alone would not defeat terrorism, while alleging that the United States sponsors non-state actors such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State (ISIS).
"Bombardment will not end terrorism because terrorism is an ideology. Even though you want to use force, you will not ask terrorists to fight terrorism," he said.
"It is all over the news and the United States has been indicted of sponsoring groups like Boko Haram, ISIS. Even if you look at the arms used by these terrorists, you will realise that they are being sponsored by a nation that loves involving itself in activities of nations even those that do not concern them and they will be the same persons telling us what to do."
Sheikh Gumi analyses the fallout and Implications of the U.S. Strikes on Nigeria#trusttvnews #Usstrikes #Nigeria pic.twitter.com/t0AhPauils
— Trust TV News (@trusttv_news) December 30, 2025
Gumi also alleged corruption within Nigeria’s security system, claiming that funds meant for modern weapons are mismanaged.
"In Nigeria, they budget money for new weapons and buy second-hand ones. Our weapon production systems ought to have improved better and we should be producing,” he said.
He further urged Nigeria to learn from South Africa’s struggle against apartheid, describing the country as an important model.
On Monday, SaharaReporters reported that Sheikh Gumi described Nigerians who praised the recent United States airstrike against terrorists in Sokoto State as “stupid,” saying their support was misguided.
The attack, reportedly carried out with Nigeria’s approval, targeted Islamic State-linked militant camps in Sokoto State. Officials said the operations were precision attacks based on intelligence shared by Abuja and aimed at weakening insurgent networks.
However, Gumi criticised the Nigerian government for allowing foreign military involvement and called on it to demand the withdrawal of U.S. forces.
He said, “The Nigerian government should call the attention of the ambassadors concerned to immediately withdraw the US military intervention on Nigeria insurgency fight.”
Addressing citizens who welcomed the strikes, Gumi said such reactions reflected a misunderstanding of their implications for national security.
“This is nothing but a betrayal of our Nigerians. Some people will be saying that since we cannot end the insecurity and we have United States government intervention, why don't we gladly accept the help?” he said in a video.
“There are stupid people whose thinking faculty is very small; they are the ones who will think so.”
“This person (US President Donald Trump) must be stopped and chased out. This is a person that has his hands stained with the blood of children and adults,” he said.
“How can you call for assistance from a thief when they enter your house?”