A Catholic deacon and writer, Nick Donnelly, has called for the arrest and prosecution of Nigerian Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi following his reaction to recent United States military operations in Nigeria.
Background: U.S. Airstrikes in Sokoto
The United States reportedly carried out airstrikes on Christmas Day targeting insurgent groups in parts of Sokoto State, northern Nigeria. The operation was aimed at armed groups accused of carrying out violent attacks and killings in the region.
The strikes have since generated mixed reactions both locally and internationally.
Gumi’s Reaction
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi reacted critically to the development, reportedly urging the Federal Government of Nigeria to suspend cooperation with the United States over actions he claimed were directed at individuals accused of committing “genocide against Christians.”
His comments sparked backlash on social media, particularly from critics who interpreted his remarks as sympathetic to violent groups.
Donnelly’s Response
Reacting via his X (formerly Twitter) account, Nick Donnelly strongly criticised Gumi’s position, accusing the cleric of defending extremists.
In his post, Donnelly alleged that Gumi protested against U.S. military action targeting Islamist militants, describing the cleric’s remarks as an attempt to justify violence.
Call for Legal Action
Donnelly went further to demand that Sheikh Gumi be investigated and prosecuted, stating that the cleric should face legal consequences for what he described as support for terrorism.
He also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to publicly address the issue, arguing that silence from the presidency could be interpreted as tolerance of the statements attributed to Gumi.
No Official Response Yet
As of the time of filing this report, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has not issued an official response to Donnelly’s comments, and Nigerian authorities have not announced any investigation related to the matter.
The situation continues to generate debate, highlighting ongoing tensions around security operations, religious rhetoric, and counterterrorism efforts in Nigeria.
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