A Nigerian pastor who previously demanded the arrest of prominent Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has reignited the call following a disturbing news report broadcast on Egyptian television. The pastor directly connected the report's claims to Gumi's recent statements in the wake of a controversial US military operation in Sokoto state.
US Airstrike and Gumi's Condemnation Spark Controversy
The chain of events began on December 25, 2025, when United States President Donald Trump ordered an airstrike targeting alleged ISIS terrorist bases within Sokoto State, Nigeria. The unilateral action by the US military triggered widespread reactions across Nigerian social media and public discourse.
Among the most vocal critics was Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, who strongly condemned the attack. He went further to urge the Nigerian federal government to sever its military ties with the United States. Instead, Gumi suggested that Nigeria should seek security assistance from other nations, notably mentioning Turkey.
Pastor Links Egyptian TV Report to Gumi's Motives
The Sheikh's recommendation caught the attention of a pastor known on social media as @ProtecttheFaith. The pastor had already called for Gumi's immediate arrest following his condemnation of the US strike. The situation escalated when the pastor encountered a video report from Egyptian TV.
In the report, a correspondent made a serious allegation, claiming that Turkey is involved in funding Islamist terrorists operating within Nigeria. Sharing the video on his platform, the pastor drew a direct line between this claim and Gumi's advocacy for Turkish involvement in Nigerian security.
"Egyptian TV news reports that Turkey is funding Islamist terrorists in Nigeria," the pastor stated. He added pointedly, "No wonder Gumi wants Turkey militarily involved in Nigerian security. Turkey is funding the Islamist genocide of Christians in Nigeria. Gumi is an enemy of Nigeria and must be arrested to save Nigerian lives."
Social Media Erupts with Diverse Reactions
The pastor's post, combining the Egyptian TV report with his accusations against Gumi, quickly went viral, sparking heated debates online. The reactions reflected Nigeria's deep-seated regional and religious tensions.
User @Jamesnjoku17 shifted focus to the detained IPOB leader, commenting, "...the speedy solution to all this is to begin the move to free mnk and Biafra people from Nigeria true referendum..."
@FCarlos34227 hinted at potential secessionist conflict, stating, "War will break out one day unless international community intervene... If US or Israel endorse #Biafra for independence now, We will cut our oil pipe..."
Another user, @okpalagenesis, accused Gumi of having deep historical ties to British colonial indirect rule and warned, "Nigeria needs to be divided else this Islamization will spread like cancer."
Supporting the pastor's stance, @Scalin8 declared, "This is the reason he told Nigerian to leave America and work with the likes of Turkey... every country he mentioned is funding them. Sheikh Gumi is a terrorist!" User @Vic_Mirian83 offered blessings and strength to the pastor for "defending innocent Nigerians."
Adding a layer of local observation, @TafawaBalewa3 noted, "...there are some funny Turkish Islamic organizations resident in Kano, you'll hardly understand what exactly is their mission."
This incident underscores the highly charged atmosphere surrounding Nigeria's security partnerships and the potent role of international media reports in shaping domestic accusations and counter-accusations. The call for Gumi's arrest, based on a foreign news segment, highlights the deepening distrust and the complex interplay between local conflicts and perceived international influences.
