US Airstrikes: Sheikh Gumi Says $2m Bomb Should Build Schools for Herdsmen

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.