VIDEO: We Will Not Respond To Gumi’s Condemnation Of Sokoto’s Airstrikes — DHQ
The Defence Headquarters has played down any prospect of arresting controversial Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi and other ‘’leaders’’ over their condemnations of the Sokoto Airstrike carried out by the United States on Christmas day.
Following the airstrikes targeted at terrorists, Sheikh Gumi condemned the development, calling it a “war against Islam” and urging the Nigerian government to cut ties with the US.
According to him, the strike, which targeted ISIS-linked militants, was a “neo-Crusade war against Islam” and could escalate tensions in the region.
Gumi also questioned the US’s motives, suggesting they were protecting Christians and infringing on Nigeria’s sovereignty, calling on the Nigerian government to rather seek help from “neutral” countries like China, Turkey, or Pakistan instead of relying on the US.
His reaction has since sparked outrage from Nigerians with citizens calling for his arrest over his alleged ties with terrorists.
However, responding to calls for Gumi’s arrest while fielding questions from journalists in Abuja, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja stated that it was not the role of the Armed Forces to respond to every public statement and that relevant agencies were responsible for addressing such concerns.
“Every agency has its functions. It is not for the Armed Forces to focus on what some people in society do not agree with in our activities. Ours is to focus on our kinetic operations and, as much as possible, conduct non-kinetic operations when necessary. I believe that there are relevant agencies who are tasked to consider such statements if they are against or for the country. And I believe that they are doing so,” he said.
