A Nigerian engineer has issued a strong warning to prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, following his public condemnation of the recent United States military airstrike on suspected ISIS terrorist bases in Sokoto State. The engineer's reaction came after a video of Gumi's statements went viral online in the days following the controversial operation ordered by US President Donald Trump.
Public Backlash Against Cleric's Stance
The engineer, who posted his views on social media under the handle @FestusBrave, directly addressed the scholar's commentary. He advised Sheikh Gumi to keep his opinions to himself and cease portraying himself as a voice for the entire Northern region or commenting on bandit activities. The core of his argument was that Gumi's persistent remarks could sway public perception negatively against the US military intervention, which targeted ISIS affiliates.
In his post, the engineer explicitly stated, "Sheikh Gumi should stop louding this whole thing. Bola Ahmed Tinubu should stop him now. The more he keeps talking, the more Northerners might start seeing the US Army intervention as a bad thing." He emphasized that the President, as Commander-in-Chief, should be allowed to manage the security response, adding a pointed rebuke: "Terrorists can never be anyone’s friend, except you’re a part of them."
Mixed Public Reactions Surface Online
The engineer's post sparked a flurry of reactions from other social media users, highlighting the divisive nature of the issue. Some commentators supported the call for Gumi to be reined in, while others expressed broader frustrations with the nation's security and political discourse.
Notable reactions included:
- @Proudly_Naija01's retort: "Since our own commander in chief isn’t saying anything. Let someone speak for him then."
- @kryptobiony's jab: "Maybe Gumi thinks he's the real Commander in Chief. Silence isn't his strong suit, clearly."
- @veried001's pragmatic view: "We don't need any more of Sheikh Gumi's nonsense. Let's focus on strengthening our army with some help from the US."
- @__sina__1's pointed question regarding the cleric's freedom: "Why is he still walking freely?"
Broader Context of the Sokoto Airstrike
The incident that triggered this exchange was the US military bombing of ISIS targets in Sokoto State, which was confirmed to have occurred in late December 2025. The operation, authorized by President Donald Trump, generated widespread debate across Nigeria concerning sovereignty and the effectiveness of foreign military assistance in combating domestic terrorism.
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, known for his controversial dialogues with bandits in the North, was one of the most vocal critics of the airstrike. His public condemnation placed him at the center of a heated national security conversation. This is not an isolated incident; a Nigerian pastor had previously criticized Gumi for similar comments, and a serving Nigerian soldier recently voiced support for the US action, vowing to join the fight against terrorists in the north.
The engineer's intervention underscores the ongoing tension between national security strategies, freedom of speech, and the influence of religious leaders on public opinion in Nigeria's complex fight against insurgency and banditry.
