A Nigerian man serving in the United States Army has attracted significant attention online after issuing a pointed message to the influential Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, in the aftermath of U.S. airstrikes targeting ISIS terrorist strongholds in Sokoto State. The soldier’s message comes amid ongoing debates over the role of foreign military intervention in Nigeria’s fight against insurgent groups and heightened discussions regarding the safety of civilians in conflict zones.
This development coincides with renewed commentary from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has publicly vowed to take decisive action against extremist groups threatening Christians and other vulnerable populations in Nigeria. The airstrikes in Sokoto represent a continuation of U.S. counterterrorism efforts in the region, which have been both praised and criticized by different stakeholders.
Sheikh Gumi opposes US military support
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi had recently come under the spotlight for openly criticizing the U.S. airstrikes, cautioning against foreign military intervention in Nigeria. The cleric further rebuked the federal government for failing to seek assistance from countries such as Turkey and Pakistan instead of allowing U.S. forces to operate on Nigerian soil. His comments were widely shared and debated across social media platforms, igniting discussions about national sovereignty, the effectiveness of foreign support, and the role of religious leaders in public security discourse.
Nigerian-born US soldier reacts to Sheikh Gumi’s stance
Reacting to Sheikh Gumi’s public statements, the Nigerian-born U.S. Army soldier, identified online by the handle @Horiyourme, shared a photo from a video message of the cleric on social media. In the post, he addressed the cleric directly, signaling strong disapproval of his stance on the airstrikes and implying serious consequences for continued opposition.
The soldier captioned the post as follows:
‘Update on @POTUS air strike:
First you deliver the baby, then you get the placenta. Sheik Gumi, your days are numbered.”
The post quickly went viral, sparking intense discussions and debates among Nigerians both at home and abroad. Reactions were mixed, with some praising the soldier’s boldness, while others expressed concern over the aggressive tone of his message. Comments from social media users reflected a wide spectrum of opinions regarding the cleric and the U.S. involvement in Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations.
@0xjabdul commented: “Please remove that Sheik in his name. I don’t trust him to be a Sheikh.”
@damtosfashion wrote: “Pls help us deal with this man ooo. He’s been a reason for more active activities of this people.”
@OloriSiji1 asked: “You still dey respect am, hand go touch him soon.”
@MichaelNavy_24 added: “Nah wetin I dey tell someone like this now wey be say Mr Ben don dey put eyes for the matter e don be for am.”
The post has fueled discussions about the balance between public commentary, national security, and foreign military involvement in Nigeria. Observers note that the soldier’s direct address to Sheikh Gumi represents a rare instance of a foreign-based Nigerian military member publicly challenging a prominent cleric over security matters.
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