Popular Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has openly criticized the United States government over its use of expensive military weapons, urging the country to focus on education and social development for herders rather than deploying multi-million-dollar bombs. According to the cleric, many herders are trapped in ignorance and require enlightenment, not violence. He argued that bombing communities does not solve the root problem, which he described as a lack of education and awareness. Sheikh Gumi made this statement while reacting to a viral video showing a Fulani herder who reportedly stumbled upon a barrel believed to be part of a missile fired during a U.S. military operation. The cleric expressed concern that the man in the video appeared unaware of the danger posed by unexploded military devices. Reacting publicly, Gumi explained that the herder’s actions reflected deep-rooted ignorance rather than intentional wrongdoing. He emphasized that such individuals often lack basic knowledge, including understanding religious principles and recognizing life-threatening hazards such as unexploded bombs. Taking to his official Facebook page, the cleric stated that most herders need deliverance from ignorance rather than bombardment. He added that the individual in the video neither understood the core teachings of Islam nor grasped the serious danger associated with unexploded military weapons lying in open fields. Gumi further revealed that his response to this long-standing issue has been to build schools and support educational initiatives for herders, stressing that education is a sustainable solution. He argued that the amount of money used to drop a single bomb—estimated at $2 million—could instead be channeled into constructing schools and providing basic amenities that would positively transform lives. The comments followed reports that on Christmas Day, the United States military, acting on the directive of President Donald Trump, conducted airstrikes in Sokoto State, Nigeria. The operation was reportedly aimed at neutralizing ISIS and Lakurawa terrorist groups, but the mission failed to hit its intended targets. The Nigerian government later confirmed the incident, describing it as a coordinated military operation. Authorities also disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the mission, emphasizing that it was carried out in collaboration with international partners. Despite the official explanation, Sheikh Gumi maintained that military force alone cannot address insecurity, insisting that education, awareness, and social development remain the most effective tools for lasting peace.
A well-known security analyst, Zagazola Makama, has stated that the recent air operations carried out by the United States military in Sokoto State did not hit the intended target and had no operational effect on insurgent groups operating in Nigeria. The comment followed reports that U.S. forces launched airstrikes on Christmas night, allegedly aimed at terrorist elements within Sokoto State. The development triggered fear and confusion among residents, particularly after footage circulated online showing intense reactions from locals. In one widely shared video, members of the Jabo community, located in Tambuwal Local Government Area, were seen fleeing in panic after an aerial strike reportedly landed close to farmlands within the community. Flames were visible at the impact point, further heightening tension among residents in the area. As of the time of reporting, official details surrounding the operation remain unclear, and there have been no confirmed casualties linked to the airstrike. Authorities are yet to release a comprehensive briefing explaining the specific intelligence behind the action. Reacting to the incident via a post on X (formerly Twitter), Makama explained that the strike location does not align with known operational zones of extremist groups threatening Nigeria. According to him, the bombs fell on agricultural land, an area with no recorded insurgent presence. He clarified that Jabo is primarily a farming settlement under Tambuwal LGA and has never been identified as a base or corridor for ISIS, ISWAP, or Boko Haram activities. Makama emphasized that intelligence records do not link the community to extremist movements operating either in the North West or North East regions of the country. While acknowledging the importance of international support, the security expert noted that accurate targeting is crucial to avoid unnecessary fear among civilians. He stressed that extremist groups such as ISWAP, Boko Haram, and ISIS are predominantly active in North East Nigeria, not in the affected Sokoto community. Makama further explained that even JNIM, also referred to as Lakurawa, does not maintain any established base within the North West region. He added that the affected area is overwhelmingly Muslim, accounting for roughly 98 percent of the population, and does not pose any threat linked to religious violence or genocide narratives. According to him, the security challenges in that region are largely connected to banditry, which has primarily affected Muslim communities, rather than coordinated terrorist insurgency operations. Despite describing the strike as misdirected, Makama concluded by stating that continued international military pressure on terrorist groups remains a positive development, as it sends a strong signal to armed groups threatening national stability. However, he reiterated that precision and credible intelligence must guide such interventions to prevent civilian distress
