Prominent Islamic cleric and mediating figure, Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, has called for urgent negotiations with the terrorist group Boko Haram, warning that U.S. military action would only worsen Nigeria’s security crisis. His comments come amid escalating tensions following Donald Trump’s threat of possible intervention in Nigeria.
Speaking on the Arise Television network on Tuesday, Gumi condemned the idea of a U.S.-led bombing campaign in Nigeria, stating: “America are known to be liars … So when they say they want to help Nigeria by bombing terrorists, I don’t believe them.” He argued that foreign airstrikes would lead to massive civilian casualties and deepen the conflict.
Gumi went on to say that a military approach alone was insufficient: “There’s no way to just drop bombs and think you’ve finished them. They have infiltrated society.” He claimed that dealing with Boko Haram and other armed groups requires dialogue rather than purely forceful action.
Nigeria finds itself in a challenging position. While the U.S. has designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” and suggested military pressure over alleged religious persecution, domestic analysts say the country’s security deterioration stems from a complex mix of insurgency, communal violence and governance failures.
In his appeal to the government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Gumi urged decisive diplomatic action and caution over foreign military involvement. “They either retract their threats or we sever diplomatic ties,” he said, emphasising that Nigeria has options beyond the U.S. for security and economic partnerships.
Gumi, who has a history of engaging with armed groups in Nigeria’s north, said his approach involves understanding grievances and persuading militants to surrender their arms peacefully. He asserted that this route had shown progress: “I’ve been seeing them, listening to their grievances… we are able now to contain the problem.”
