“Why Amnesty for Niger-Delta Militants but None for Boko Haram?” — Gumi’s Remarks Trigger Pressure
..........Outrage Spreads as Citizens Demand U.S. Attention on Gumi’s Position on Terrorism
By Passman Akpos
Controversial Islamic cleric Ahmad Abubakar Mahmud Gumi has triggered intense nationwide debate after strongly opposing foreign military involvement in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, declaring that “our sovereignty is a red line” and warning against what he described as foreign subjugation disguised as security assistance.
In a lengthy statement, Gumi dismissed claims that Nigeria’s military had been prevented from confronting Boko Haram and bandits, describing such assertions as “false and malicious.” He argued that the Nigerian Armed Forces had never halted hostilities against unrepentant terrorists, except during the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme introduced under late former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2009.
Reflecting on the insurgency, Gumi noted that nearly 17 years after the extrajudicial killing of Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf, the terrorist group remains a major threat, continuing to kill civilians and even high-ranking military officers.
He blamed the prolonged conflict not solely on military weakness, but on what he called the “gross failure of the kinetic approach,” arguing that excessive force, civilian casualties, and lack of discipline have worsened insecurity rather than solved it.
“The military can handle the situation if the rules of engagement are free from prejudices and deception, both in the application of force and finances,” he said.
Gumi also warned against any deeper involvement by the United States, claiming that such intervention would only attract more international terror groups and turn Nigeria into a new battlefield for global extremist networks.
He referenced allegations made by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry, who in February 2025 claimed that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had inadvertently funded terrorist groups including Boko Haram, ISIS, and Al-Qaeda.
He also revived old controversy surrounding former American diplomat Russell Hanks, questioning why he allegedly declined to comment on accusations linked to a 1995 bombing incident in Kaduna.
“Nigerians, especially a section of them, are not just gullible but have a slave mentality, ever ready to hand over the sovereignty of our dear nation to foreign interests,” Gumi stated. “We have to resist foreign subjugation and disgrace.”
However, his comments immediately sparked fierce backlash across social media, with many Nigerians accusing him of prioritizing sovereignty over the safety of innocent citizens and security personnel being killed daily by terrorists.
Some critics openly questioned his stance on foreign partnerships, pointing to Nigeria’s security cooperation with countries like Turkey and Iran, while others accused him of hypocrisy for opposing U.S. involvement but supporting other foreign interventions.
Several reactions were even more severe, with some users directly linking his comments to sympathy for extremist groups and demanding stronger action against him, while supporters praised him for “speaking truth” and defending national independence.
The sharp division once again highlights the deep national frustration over Nigeria’s prolonged insecurity crisis, where questions of sovereignty, foreign intervention, and military accountability continue to fuel bitter public debate.
As insecurity persists across the country, Gumi’s latest remarks have reopened one of Nigeria’s most sensitive conversations: whether defeating terrorism should come at any cost—or whether national sovereignty must remain non-negotiable.
