Controversial Islamic scholar, Ahmad Gumi, has alleged that the United States is becoming increasingly interested in Nigeria’s natural resources, warning that Nigerians should pay attention to issues surrounding the country’s sovereignty and security.
Gumi made the remarks in a post published on his official Facebook page, where he described Western countries as “predators” and suggested that foreign powers were paying closer attention to Nigeria because of its vast mineral and economic resources.
According to him, Nigeria must be careful in its dealings with foreign countries, especially in matters relating to security operations and the protection of national interests.
“Nigeria needs to listen to this man. The West is a predator. US’s attention is now on Nigerian resources,” Gumi wrote.
The Islamic cleric also spoke about terrorism and military operations, saying that while nobody supports terrorism, Nigerians should remain concerned about the country’s independence and control over its territory.
“Nobody cries for terrorists. But every patriotic citizen should cry for our sovereignty,” he stated.
Gumi further argued that aerial attacks on terrorist targets within Nigeria do not require foreign military involvement, insisting that such operations can be handled locally without outside forces carrying out attacks on Nigerian soil.
“Aerial bombing of stationary targets is no rocket science that demands foreign forces firing on our land,” he added.
The cleric also referenced the “Thucydides Trap,” a political theory used in international relations to describe the tension that can occur when a rising power threatens an already established global power. According to him, the theory explains why powerful nations often become aggressive when they feel threatened economically or politically.
“The Thucydides Trap is a political theory stating that when a rising power threatens to displace an established ruling power, the resulting structural stress makes the likelihood of armed conflict incredibly high,” he wrote.
Gumi went further to criticise the political and intellectual climate in the United States, claiming that modern American leadership is now dominated by people interested mainly in money and war.
“The first sign of the USA’s downfall is the absence of intellectuals but merchants of dollars and warmongers,” he added.
The comments have generated reactions on social media, with supporters and critics debating his claims about foreign influence and Nigeria’s security challenges.
Gumi has remained a controversial figure in Nigeria’s public space over the years because of his outspoken comments on insecurity, banditry and negotiations with armed groups operating in parts of northern Nigeria.
At the peak of bandit attacks in the North-West, the cleric was involved in meetings with some bandit leaders and repeatedly called on the Federal Government to adopt dialogue as part of efforts to end violence. While some Nigerians viewed his approach as a possible path to peace, others accused him of being too sympathetic to criminal groups.
The Federal Government has, however, consistently maintained that it remains committed to protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty and tackling insecurity through the armed forces and other security agencies.
Nigeria has faced growing security threats in recent years, including terrorism in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, kidnapping in several states and attacks on security formations. The situation has forced the government to increase military spending and strengthen cooperation with foreign partners in intelligence sharing, training and counterterrorism efforts.
The United States has been one of Nigeria’s major international partners in security cooperation. Over the years, both countries have worked together in areas such as military training, intelligence support and efforts to combat terrorist groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP.
Apart from security, the US also maintains strong economic ties with Nigeria, particularly in oil, gas, technology and trade. Nigeria remains one of Africa’s largest economies and a major producer of crude oil, while recent discoveries of solid minerals across different states have increased global interest in the country’s untapped resources.
Although Gumi did not provide evidence to support his claims about US intentions toward Nigeria’s resources, his comments reflect growing concerns among some Nigerians about foreign influence, economic control and national independence.
His latest remarks are also coming at a time when discussions about foreign military presence and international partnerships in Africa continue to attract public attention across the continent.
Several African countries have recently reviewed or reduced military cooperation agreements with Western nations, arguing that local governments should take greater control of their own security operations.