Sheikh Gumi Slams U.S. Airstrikes: Foreign Bombs Won’t Defeat Nigeria’s Bandits

Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has criticized the recent U.S. airstrikes in Nigeria, arguing that they are unlikely to neutralize mobile bandits and terrorists hiding in the country’s forests. In an interview with Daily Trust, Gumi questioned both the effectiveness and the sovereignty implications of foreign military interventions. He described the attacks as a violation of Nigeria’s sovereignty and argued that they lack strategic military value.

According to Gumi, aerial bombardments are poorly suited to targeting insurgents who constantly move between locations. He emphasized that such operations risk killing civilians rather than militants, as the bombs are not precise and are designed for urban targets like high-rise buildings—structures rarely used by forest-dwelling terrorists. The cleric warned that relying on external military force could worsen security issues rather than improve them.

Gumi also praised the Nigerian government’s domestic security measures, including the deployment of forest guards and the establishment of state police, describing these as meaningful steps toward maintaining safety. However, he expressed frustration that these local efforts are undermined by foreign interventions, which he believes distract from and compromise Nigeria’s own security initiatives.

In essence, Sheikh Gumi advocates for a focus on domestic strategies tailored to Nigeria’s unique security challenges rather than relying on foreign military actions. He stresses that intelligence-driven, local solutions are more likely to succeed in combating mobile insurgents while preserving civilian lives and national sovereignty.

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