Renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has accused foreign powers of supporting terrorist groups operating in Nigeria. The cleric made the claim during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, saying recent attacks across the country show patterns that suggest external involvement.
Sheikh Gumi, who has often spoken publicly on issues of national security, argued that the current wave of violence contradicts earlier signs of progress recorded in several troubled parts of the country. According to him, the sudden change in the security situation raises questions that Nigerians should not ignore.
He pointed to the Abuja–Kaduna highway as one example. The route had long been notorious for kidnappings and deadly ambushes by armed groups. For years, commuters feared travelling on the highway, and many relied on the train as a safer option until the attack on the Kaduna-bound train in 2022. However, Gumi noted that in recent months, the road had become much safer. Security agencies had increased patrols, and the number of incidents had dropped, giving many people hope that the area was stabilising.
Similarly, the cleric mentioned the situation in Birnin Gwari, a local government area in Kaduna State that has suffered from years of banditry and rural violence. Many farmers had abandoned their farmlands due to constant threats, killings and kidnappings. The decline in farming contributed to food shortages and rising prices, affecting communities both in the North-West and across the country. But Gumi said that earlier this year, residents had slowly begun returning to their farms, encouraged by improved security and military operations in the area.
He stressed that these positive signs make the sudden resurgence of attacks even more troubling. According to him, the renewed violence appears too organised and too coordinated to be driven only by local groups. He believes that foreign actors who want to destabilise the country could be providing support to terrorists through funds, weapons or intelligence.
While he did not name specific countries, Sheikh Gumi said Nigeria must take the possibility seriously. He urged the Federal Government to intensify intelligence gathering and strengthen its diplomatic engagements. He also called for a deeper investigation into all external links that may be fuelling insecurity.
Nigeria has battled different forms of insecurity for more than a decade. The Boko Haram insurgency, which began in 2009, has evolved over the years and led to the rise of splinter groups such as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). In addition, the North-West and North-Central regions have faced a separate wave of banditry, with armed gangs carrying out mass kidnappings, extortion, cattle rustling and attacks on rural communities.
In recent years, leaders across West Africa have warned that global powers sometimes use African conflicts to push their own geopolitical interests, either by supporting proxy groups or by turning a blind eye to arms trafficking. While there is no publicly available evidence directly linking foreign governments to terrorist groups in Nigeria, concerns about external influence have continued to grow, especially as insecurity spreads across the Sahel.
Sheikh Gumi said this broader context is why the government must act quickly. He warned that without a strong response, the country risks sliding deeper into instability. He emphasised that improving intelligence gathering is crucial, especially in border communities where most illegal movement occurs. He also encouraged the government to work more closely with neighbouring countries to monitor suspicious activities and track the flow of weapons.
Gumi maintained that the safety of Nigerian citizens must remain the top priority. He said farmers, traders, commuters and students all deserve to live and work without fear, and that the recent return of violent attacks threatens the progress made in many communities.
He called on leaders at all levels to put politics aside and focus on finding lasting solutions. According to him, Nigeria has the capacity to defeat terrorism, but only if it addresses both internal weaknesses and possible external threats.
The cleric concluded by urging Nigerians to stay united and continue supporting efforts to restore peace. He said the country has survived many challenges in the past and can overcome the present insecurity if the right steps are taken.
