A new controversy has erupted following comments by a well-known Nigerian Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, over recent United States airstrikes on insurgent camps in parts of Sokoto State. The remarks have drawn sharp criticism from a Catholic author and commentator, Deacon Nick Donnelly, who has called for Gumi’s immediate arrest and prosecution.
The debate comes in the wake of reports that the United States carried out airstrikes on Christmas Day against armed groups described as insurgents and terrorists operating in parts of north-west Nigeria. The strikes, which reportedly targeted hideouts in Sokoto State, were said to be part of efforts to weaken violent groups blamed for attacks on civilians, including Christians and Muslims.
Although Nigerian authorities have not released full details of the operation, the reports have generated widespread reactions across the country. Issues of foreign military involvement, national sovereignty, and the long-running security crisis in the north have again come to the fore.
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a controversial cleric who has often spoken on issues related to banditry and insecurity in northern Nigeria, reacted strongly to the reported airstrikes. In a statement released on Friday, Gumi urged the Federal Government to stop any form of cooperation with the United States in military actions against armed groups.
Gumi warned that such cooperation could worsen the situation and accused the foreign forces of targeting groups he described as “warriors.” He also raised concerns about what he claimed was the killing of Muslims and the risk of deepening divisions in the country.
His comments quickly attracted criticism, especially from Christian groups and commentators who accuse the armed groups of carrying out repeated attacks on Christian communities in the north.
Reacting to Gumi’s remarks, Deacon Nick Donnelly, a Catholic author and outspoken commentator, took to social media platform X to express his anger. In a strongly worded post, Donnelly accused the cleric of defending violent extremists and called on Nigerian authorities to take action against him.
Donnelly wrote that Sheikh Gumi protested the Christmas Day military strikes ordered by former United States President Donald Trump against what he described as “Islamist terrorists.” He accused Gumi of referring to those responsible for violence against Christians as “our warriors.”
According to Donnelly, such statements amount to support for crimes against humanity. He called for Gumi’s arrest and trial, saying Nigeria must not tolerate public figures who appear to defend or justify violence.
Donnelly also directed his criticism at President Bola Tinubu, urging him to publicly condemn Gumi’s comments. He warned that failure to do so could be seen as silent approval of the cleric’s position.
“Sheikh Gumi must be arrested and put on trial for crimes against humanity,” Donnelly wrote. “Tinubu must publicly condemn Gumi or else he is declaring his complicity in his crimes.”
Sheikh Gumi has long been a divisive figure in Nigeria’s security debate. In the past, he has advocated dialogue and negotiation with bandits, arguing that many of them took up arms due to poverty and neglect. While some have praised him for seeking peaceful solutions, others have accused him of being too sympathetic to criminal groups.
The north-west region, including Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and parts of Kaduna, has suffered years of deadly attacks by bandits and armed groups. Thousands of people have been killed, while many more have been displaced from their homes. Schools, villages, and places of worship have been targeted, deepening fear and mistrust among communities.
The situation has also taken on religious and ethnic dimensions, with Christian groups often accusing authorities of failing to protect them. On the other hand, Muslim leaders have warned against framing the violence as a religious war, insisting that most victims are Muslims as well.
The reported US airstrikes have added a new layer to the debate. While some Nigerians welcome any support that can help defeat violent groups, others worry about foreign involvement and its long-term effects. The Federal Government has not officially confirmed the level of cooperation with the United States, but it has repeatedly stated its commitment to restoring peace and security across the country.
So far, Nigerian security agencies have not reacted to Donnelly’s call for Gumi’s arrest. There has also been no official response from the Presidency regarding the demand that President Tinubu publicly condemn the cleric.