Gumi Blasts Trump, Tinubu Over ISIS Kill: “Blood-Stained Hands Can’t Bring Justice” — Nigerians Fire Back: “You Sound Like You Support Terrorists!”
........Gumi Sparks Outrage After Trump-Tinubu ISIS Strike: “Don’t Fight Terrorists With Blood-Stained Hands”
By Passman Akpos
Fresh controversy has erupted across Nigeria after prominent Islamic cleric, Ahmad Abubakar Mahmud Gumi, reacted to the reported joint military operation between President Donald Trump and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that allegedly led to the elimination of top ISIS commander Abu-Bilal al-Manuki.
Dr. Gumi, known for his controversial views on insecurity in Northern Nigeria, stated that while fighting terrorism is a religious and moral obligation, it must not be done through what he described as “Beelzebub and hands stained with the blood of innocent men, women, and children.”
“It’s a religious obligation to annihilate terrorists, but not with Beelzebub and hands stained with the blood of innocent men, women, and children,” Gumi said.
He further argued that counter-terrorism loses legitimacy the moment innocent civilians become collateral damage, insisting that true justice must target only the guilty without becoming what it fights against.
“Protecting civilians isn’t weakness — it’s the line between counter-terrorism and crime,” he added.His comments came shortly after Trump announced that U.S. forces, working closely with the Nigerian Armed Forces, successfully carried out a major strike that killed Abu-Bilal al-Manuki, described as ISIS’ global second-in-command and one of the world’s most wanted terrorists.
The operation, reportedly conducted in the Lake Chad Basin, has been celebrated by many Nigerians as a major victory against terrorism. However, Gumi’s remarks triggered fierce backlash online, with many accusing him of indirectly defending terrorists.
Some critics openly attacked the cleric, with one user writing, “Omar Tandama, you are among the terrorists,” while another said, “At this point, even if it is Satan that will come and save us from this menace, we’re going to appreciate him.”
Another commenter added, “Only a stained hand can take out a stained hand. Na family business.”Others mocked Gumi’s reaction, suggesting the strike had personally affected him.
“This one pain am… lol,” one user wrote, while another posted, “Depression want kill this man.”Despite the criticism, some Nigerians defended Gumi’s point, arguing that lawful and transparent operations are necessary to maintain public trust and avoid turning counter-terrorism into state-backed violence.
One commenter noted, “What matters for Nigeria’s security is lawful, transparent operations that don’t erode public trust. Celebrating killings without accountability sets a dangerous precedent.”
President Tinubu had earlier praised the joint U.S.-Nigeria operation, describing it as a major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism and commending Trump for the collaboration.
As reactions continue to pour in, Gumi’s statement has once again placed him at the center of Nigeria’s heated debate over terrorism, military justice, and the price of security.
