Cleric says foreign intervention risks attracting global terror networks, insists Nigeria must rely on internal capacity to tackle insecurity

Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has cautioned against deepening United States involvement in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations, warning it could aggravate the country’s already fragile security situation.

In a Facebook post on Monday, May 18, 2026, Gumi argued that foreign military participation in Nigeria’s internal conflicts may do more harm than good by drawing the attention of international terrorist networks. According to him, such involvement risks transforming Nigeria into a “theatre of war” rather than stabilising affected regions.

He stressed the need to safeguard Nigeria’s sovereignty, maintaining that the country should be wary of external interference in its security architecture. Gumi insisted that Nigeria’s armed forces possess the capacity to tackle insurgency and banditry effectively—provided they are adequately equipped and operate under clear, strategic rules of engagement.

Reiterating his long-held stance, the cleric noted that military force alone cannot resolve the nation’s security challenges. He called for a more comprehensive approach that prioritises strengthening internal systems, dialogue, and long-term stability.

Gumi’s remarks come amid renewed debate over international collaboration in Nigeria’s anti-terror efforts, following recent joint operations between Nigerian forces and foreign partners in parts of the North-West and North-East.