Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has urged the Nigerian government to immediately suspend all military collaboration with the United States following reports of US airstrikes in the country.

He warned that foreign involvement could exacerbate Nigeria’s security challenges and undermine national sovereignty. The cleric made the call in a statement shared on his Facebook page on Friday.

While acknowledging that Islam permits the fight against terrorism, Gumi stressed that such operations must be conducted by parties with “clean hands,” arguing that the US lacks the moral authority due to its global military record.

According to Gumi, allowing foreign powers to participate in Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts was a misstep. He emphasized that “terrorists do not truly fight terrorists” and that foreign interventions often lead to civilian casualties and are driven by hidden political motives.

The cleric warned that turning Nigeria into a theater of war could attract anti-US forces, further destabilizing the nation. He also cautioned that US involvement, particularly under claims of protecting Christians, could deepen religious divisions.

Gumi argued that airstrikes alone cannot defeat terrorism and that effective counterterrorism requires strong ground operations. He noted that Nigeria has sufficient personnel to carry out such operations if properly organized.

“This is the mistake Nigeria has made. Terrorists don’t fight terrorists in truth; they may only kill innocent people and pursue ulterior motives under the guise of fighting terror. As a principle, no nation should allow its land to be a theater of war,” he said.

He further suggested that if Nigeria requires military assistance, countries such as China, Turkey, and Pakistan could provide support effectively.