Put on Hold all Military Co-operation with US Now, Gumi to FG

Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has enjoined the Federal Government to immediately put on hold all military co-operation with the United States following reported US airstrikes.
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‎He warned that American involvement could worsen Nigeria’s security challenges and undermine national sovereignty.
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‎Gumi who made the call in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Friday, said while Islam permits the fight against terrorism, such actions should only be carried out by what he described as “clean hands”.
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‎He argued that the United States lacks the moral authority to lead such efforts because of its global military record.
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‎The controversial cleric, insisted that Nigeria made a mistake by allowing foreign powers to play a role in its counterterrorism operations.
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‎He said terrorists do not truly fight terrorists and that such interventions often result in civilian casualties and hidden political motives.
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‎While warning that allowing Nigeria to become a theatre of war would attract anti-US forces into the country, he also cautioned that US involvement, particularly under claims of protecting Christians, could polarise the country along religious lines.
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‎Gumi who argued that airstrikes alone cannot defeat terrorism, emphasised that effective counterterrorism requires strong ground operations, which he said Nigeria has enough personnel to carry out if properly organised.