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A controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has criticised the United States US government over recent airstrikes in Nigeria, urging it to invest in education and basic amenities for herders instead of deploying expensive weapons.
Gumi argued that ignorance remains one of the biggest challenges facing herding communities, stressing that bombing will not solve insecurity.
Gumi reacts to viral missile footage
The cleric made the remarks while reacting to a viral video showing a Fulani man who reportedly found a barrel believed to be from a missile fired by the US military in an open field.
According to Gumi, the man’s behaviour showed a lack of understanding of the danger posed by unexploded military weapons.
Reacting via a Facebook post, the cleric expressed concern that such incidents could lead to loss of lives.
“Most herdsmen need deliverance from ignorance and themselves, not bombardment,” Gumi wrote.
Education better than bombardment — Gumi
Gumi said the Fulani man in the video lacked basic religious and safety knowledge.
“He doesn’t even understand the basic creed of Islam and the serious danger of unexploded bombs,” he added.
The cleric said his response to the problem has always been education rather than violence.
“That’s why I built a school for them,” he stated.
“Instead of dropping a $2m bomb that can build schools and amenities for them.”
US airstrikes in Sokoto
On Christmas Day, the United States military, acting on the directive of President Donald Trump, carried out airstrikes in parts of Sokoto State, Nigeria.
The strikes were aimed at suspected ISIS and Lakurawa terrorist groups but reportedly missed their targets.
Confirming the incident, the Nigerian government described the operation as a coordinated mission.
It added that President Bola Tinubu approved the operation following security assessments.