Cleric warns airstrikes will worsen insecurity, calls for dialogue and ideological solutions
Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has criticised the continued bombing of terrorist groups in Nigeria, arguing that airstrikes and military force alone cannot end terrorism in the country.
Speaking amid renewed military operations against insurgents and armed groups, Sheikh Gumi described terrorism as an ideology-driven problem that cannot be eliminated solely through bombardment, warning that excessive reliance on force could further escalate violence.
According to the cleric, terrorism thrives on deep-rooted issues such as poverty, injustice, corruption, and bad governance, which military actions fail to address. He maintained that without tackling these underlying factors, Nigeria would continue to face recurring security challenges despite sustained airstrikes.
Gumi also expressed concern over the involvement of foreign powers in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations, alleging that external military interventions often complicate local conflicts and may destabilise the country further. He cautioned that foreign-backed bombings could lead to civilian casualties and fuel resentment among affected communities.
The cleric further accused Nigeria’s security system of mismanaging defence resources, claiming that corruption within the sector has weakened the military’s capacity to decisively defeat terrorist groups despite huge budgetary allocations.
Sheikh Gumi reiterated his long-standing call for dialogue, negotiation, and ideological engagement with armed groups, insisting that sustainable peace can only be achieved through inclusive strategies rather than continuous military offensives.
His remarks have once again sparked controversy nationwide, with critics accusing him of undermining security efforts, while supporters argue that his position highlights the need for non-military solutions to Nigeria’s persistent insecurity.
Nigeria has battled insurgency, banditry, and terrorism for over a decade, particularly in the North-East and North-West regions, with successive governments deploying airstrikes and ground operations in an effort to restore peace.
