A Catholic deacon and writer, Nick Donnelly, has called for the arrest and prosecution of Nigerian Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, over his reaction to recent United States military operations in Nigeria.
Background: U.S. Christmas Airstrikes in Sokoto
The United States carried out Christmas Day airstrikes targeting insurgents in parts of Sokoto State.
The operation was aimed at groups accused of violent attacks and killings in northern Nigeria.
What Gumi Said
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi reacted sharply to the development.
He reportedly urged the Federal Government to suspend any cooperation with the U.S. in actions targeting those he claimed were being accused of “genocide against Christians.”
Nick Donnelly took to X to condemn Gumi’s position, accusing the cleric of defending violent extremists.
In his words: “Sheikh Gumi protests President Trump’s Christmas military strikes against the bestial Islamist terrorists. Calling the terrorists conducting the genocide against Christians ‘our warriors’.”
“Gumi Must Face Justice”
The Catholic deacon did not stop there.
He insisted Gumi should face serious legal consequences for his alleged role in supporting terrorism.
He stated: “Gumi must be arrested and put on trial for crimes against humanity.”
Call to President Tinubu
Donnelly also called out President Bola Tinubu, insisting the Nigerian leader must not stay silent on the matter.
“Tinubu must publicly condemn Gumi or else he is declaring his complicity in his crimes,” he added.