KADUNA, NIGERIA — Prominent and often controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has strongly condemned the direct involvement of the United States government in the military operation that led to the elimination of the global deputy commander of ISIS, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.
The joint operation, which was officially confirmed by U.S. President Donald Trump, successfully neutralized al-Minuki—a Nigerian national who had risen to become the second-in-command of ISIS globally. While the strategic strike has been hailed by Washington and Abuja as a massive victory in the war against global terror, Sheikh Gumi has raised sharp ethical and religious objections regarding the partnership.
’Hands Stained with Innocent Blood’
Reacting to the development from Kaduna, Gumi stated that while the eradication of terrorists is a recognized necessity, the alliance with foreign powers like the United States compromises the moral integrity of the mission.
”It is a religious obligation to annihilate terrorists,” Gumi remarked, clarifying his stance on global extremism. “But not with Beelzebub, and hands stained with the blood of innocent men, women, and children.”
The cleric’s reference to “Beelzebub”—a contemporary term often used to denote demonic or corrupting influences—underscores his deep-seated distrust of Western military intervention on African soil. Gumi argued that relying on global superpowers who have historically faced accusations of collateral damage and civilian casualties in the Middle East and Africa diminishes the justice of the anti-terror campaign.
A High-Stakes Joint Operation
The targeted strike against al-Minuki comes on the heels of intensified U.S. intelligence and drone support in northwestern Nigeria. President Trump described the mission as a “meticulously planned and very complex” operation executed flawlessly by brave American forces alongside the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Al-Minuki had been on the radar of global intelligence agencies for years, having been designated as a “specially designated global terrorist” by Washington in 2023. Prior to his elimination, he was considered the most active operational leader of ISIS on the continent, attempting to use the expanding insurgent networks in West Africa as a safe haven.
Gumi’s Longstanding Critique of Kinetic Warfare
This is not the first time Sheikh Gumi has spoken out against heavy-handed military strikes, particularly those involving foreign assets. The cleric has consistently advocated for non-kinetic approaches, dialogue, and amnesty programs to de-escalate banditry and terrorism in Nigeria’s northern region.
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Following prior U.S. airstrikes in northwestern Nigeria, Gumi warned that indiscriminate bombing campaigns fail to execute the root causes of terrorism and instead risk killing innocent civilians, thereby fueling deeper resentment and radicalization.
While the Nigerian military maintains that U.S. forces operate primarily in non-combat, intelligence-sharing, and training capacities, Gumi’s latest remarks highlight a simmering domestic debate over sovereignty, the ethics of international alliances, and the ultimate path to peace in the region.
