Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — A prominent Catholic author and commentator has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Mahmud Gumi over his public criticism of recent United States military airstrikes in Sokoto State, reigniting debate over national security, religious discourse and free speech in Nigeria.
Deacon Nick Donnelly, a well‑known Catholic author and social commentator, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, December 26, 2025, to demand decisive action against Sheikh Gumi, whose remarks about the U.S.‑led strikes against extremist targets have drawn fierce backlash from segments of the Nigerian public. Donnelly’s call came in the wake of U.S. military strikes in northwest Nigeria — acknowledged by both American and Nigerian authorities — targeting Islamic State‑linked militants in Sokoto State.
The crux of the controversy centers on Gumi’s criticism of the U.S. strikes, which were described by U.S. officials as joint operations targeting Islamist militants responsible for widespread violence, including attacks on civilians. Some Nigerian authorities labelled the operations as part of a broader counterterrorism partnership with Nigeria’s government aimed at degrading extremist networks.
In his remarks, Gumi urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to suspend military cooperation with the United States, claiming that foreign intervention could exacerbate insecurity and polarise the nation along religious lines. He argued that counterterrorism efforts should be led by Nigerians and, if necessary, with assistance from what he described as more “neutral” countries such as China, Turkey or Pakistan. Critics say his arguments risk undermining ongoing security cooperation at a sensitive moment.
Responding to Gumi’s position, Donnelly asserted that the cleric’s comments amounted to support for insurgent groups and a dangerous mischaracterisation of the situation. In a post on X, Donnelly argued that by opposing the airstrikes and allegedly framing violent extremists as “our warriors,” Gumi had crossed a line with potentially serious implications for national unity and social harmony. As a result, he urged that the cleric be arrested and tried for crimes against humanity and called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to publicly condemn Gumi’s statements or risk being perceived as complicit.
Supporters of Donnelly’s stance have echoed concerns about the potential for rhetoric perceived as sympathetic to militants to embolden extremist elements or polarise communities, particularly given the sensitive context of Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges. Nigeria continues to grapple with myriad threats from armed groups, including Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and other networks responsible for kidnappings, bombings and attacks on civilians across the country.
However, defenders of Gumi emphasise his long‑standing role as a religious leader and critic of foreign military involvement, arguing that his comments — while controversial — are within his rights to free expression and reflect broader debates within Nigeria about the role of external powers in domestic security affairs. They point out that public commentary on national policy and sovereignty is a legitimate part of civic discourse in a democratic society.
The outcry over Gumi’s remarks and the call for his arrest highlight a broader fault line in Nigeria’s national conversation: how to balance security cooperation with respect for national sovereignty, religious pluralism and freedom of expression. As the debate unfolds, security analysts and legal experts are likely to weigh in on both the legal basis for any potential prosecution and the broader implications of such an action for civil liberties and public discourse in Nigeria.
As of now, neither the Imo State Police Command nor federal authorities have publicly responded to Donnelly’s call for Gumi’s arrest, and it remains unclear whether any legal action will be taken. Observers say that the situation will be watched closely in coming days, given its potential impact on ongoing security coordination and national unity ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
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