Prominent Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi has condemned the Nigerian military’s collaboration with U.S. forces following the killing of global ISIS second-in-command Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, arguing that counter-terrorism should not involve foreign entities with “stained” hands.
Prominent Islamic scholar and cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has reacted to the high-profile neutralization of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the worldwide second-in-command of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). While acknowledging that combating terrorism is a vital religious obligation, Gumi sharply criticized the federal government’s reliance on American forces to execute the mission. His comments followed an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump, who confirmed that a meticulously planned joint operation between the U.S. military and the Armed Forces of Nigeria successfully eliminated the high-value terrorist target in Metele, Borno State.
In a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Saturday, May 16, 2026, the Kaduna-based cleric strongly condemned Washington’s involvement, describing the foreign superpower as an inappropriate partner for Nigeria’s internal security operations. Gumi argued that the spiritual and civic duty to defeat insurgency is compromised when carried out alongside nations he accuses of severe human rights violations. “It’s a religious obligation to annihilate terrorists, but not with Beelzebub and hands stained with the blood of innocent men, women, and children,” he wrote, underscoring his long-standing opposition to Western military intervention on Nigerian soil.
Gumi’s critical stance stands in stark contrast to the triumphant tone adopted by Washington and Abuja following the successful early-morning air and land assault. Sharing news of the raid on his Truth Social account, President Trump praised the strategic coordination and extensive intelligence gathering that allowed allied forces to track down and eliminate the global terror strategist. Trump stated that al-Minuki was among the most active and dangerous figures within the global ISIS network, specifically noting his role in orchestrating lethal attacks against both American interests and local African communities.
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