Foreign Forces Are Empowering Terrorists in Nigeria, Sheikh Gumi Alleges

 

Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has reignited national debate over Nigeria’s security crisis after alleging that foreign interests are actively empowering terrorist groups operating within the country. Gumi, known for his controversial engagements with bandits in the North-West, made the remarks during a recent lecture in Kaduna, insisting that Nigeria’s prolonged insecurity is not merely an internal problem but one driven by external forces pursuing hidden geopolitical goals.

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According to him, the scale, sophistication, and resilience of violent groups across the North suggest that they enjoy support far beyond the nation’s borders. He argued that the proliferation of weapons, access to advanced communication gadgets, and the ability of armed groups to reorganize after major military operations point to international involvement.

While he did not name any country or organization directly, Gumi maintained that “foreign hands” benefit politically and economically from Nigeria’s instability. He stated that some global actors view an unstable Nigeria as advantageous for their strategic interests in the West African region, adding that internal actors who collaborate with these forces further complicate the fight against terrorism.

Claims of External Influence

Gumi asserted that weapons used by terror groups are often traceable to foreign suppliers who profit from wars and chaos around the world. He argued that the appearance of sophisticated rifles and drones in remote forests — areas far from Nigeria’s borders — shows that the supply chains are “far more complex than bandits buying guns in black markets.”

He stressed that arms-smuggling networks linking North Africa, the Sahel, and West Africa continue to fuel the crisis, and that Nigeria must look beyond local solutions if it hopes to end the cycle of violence. He urged the Federal Government to strengthen intelligence sharing with neighbouring countries, improve border security, and investigate international entities suspected of aiding criminal groups.

Although the Federal Government has not directly responded to Gumi’s latest remarks, officials in the Ministry of Defence have repeatedly maintained that foreign weapons infiltration is a major challenge. Senior security sources insist that Nigeria is already working with regional partners through ECOWAS and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to curb arms proliferation and dismantle terrorist supply routes.

However, critics argue that these efforts have not produced enough measurable results, especially as communities in the North continue to face kidnappings, village raids, extortion, and displacement.

Gumi’s comments have triggered mixed responses nationwide. Supporters believe he is raising concerns that government authorities are unwilling to publicly discuss. According to them, global power competition, espionage, and economic interests often shape conflicts across Africa, and Nigeria cannot be an exception.

Others, however, fault the cleric for making sweeping accusations without providing concrete evidence. Some security analysts say that while international factors may play a role, the crisis is largely driven by local issues such as poverty, weak governance, ethnic tensions, and historical grievances.

Several commentators also claim that Gumi’s long-standing interactions with bandit leaders make his statements controversial. They argue that he must be more transparent about the information he claims to have if he wants to maintain credibility.

Nigeria has spent more than a decade battling Boko Haram in the North-East, but in recent years, the violence has spread to the North-West and North-Central through bandits and other armed groups. The United Nations estimates that more than 3 million people have been displaced within the region, while thousands have lost their lives due to attacks.

The surge in kidnapping-for-ransom, attacks on schools, and assaults on security agencies has placed heavy pressure on national security institutions. Despite multiple military operations, including “Operation Hadin Kai,” “Operation Forest Sanity,” and “Operation Whirl Punch,” violence persists in many areas.

Security experts say the groups have evolved from loosely coordinated bandit gangs into structured criminal networks capable of raising funds, smuggling weapons, and negotiating with external partners.

Sheikh Gumi reiterated his long-held position that dialogue is essential in resolving the crisis. He argued that military action alone cannot defeat groups deeply entrenched in local forests and familiar with the terrain.

He called for a combination of intelligence-driven operations, community-based peacebuilding, amnesty programmes for repentant fighters, and economic development in neglected rural areas.

He also urged the Federal Government to investigate both local and foreign actors involved in laundering money, supplying weapons, and facilitating cross-border movement of fighters.

Gumi’s latest claims add a fresh layer to the national conversation on insecurity. Whether his allegations will spur deeper investigations or be dismissed as speculation remains to be seen. However, what is clear is that Nigerians are increasingly demanding clarity, accountability, and long-term solutions to the worsening security situation.

As communities continue to face violence, the pressure on the government to dismantle the networks — local and in

ternational — fueling terrorism is higher than ever.