A Nigerian man serving in the United States Army has ignited a social media storm after issuing a direct and strong message to prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi. This comes in the wake of the confirmed US military airstrike on alleged ISIS terrorist bases in Sokoto State.
Background: The Sokoto Airstrike and Gumi's Criticism
The incident unfolded after US President Donald Trump confirmed the attack on ISIS targets in Nigeria's northwestern Sokoto State. The operation, which has been a major topic of online discussion, prompted vows from the US leader to eliminate threats against Christians globally.
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a well-known cleric, had previously trended for his criticism of the action. He was reported to have opposed the US government's strike and condemned the Nigerian government for not seeking counter-terrorism assistance from nations like Turkey and Pakistan instead.
The Soldier's Viral Intervention
Amid the heated online debates, a video of Sheikh Gumi's statements caught the attention of the US soldier, who goes by the handle @Horiyourme on Twitter (now X). The soldier, identified as a young Nigerian man, took to his platform to address the cleric directly.
His post, which did not mince words, quickly garnered significant traction, drawing numerous users to his page. The soldier's decision to publicly call out the influential scholar is what propelled the story to viral status, with many Nigerians joining the conversation.
Public Reactions Pour In
The comment section under the soldier's post became a hub for diverse and passionate reactions. Many users supported the soldier's stance, while others used the opportunity to express their deep-seated suspicions about Sheikh Gumi's motives.
User @0xjabdul commented, questioning the cleric's title: "Please remove that Sheik in his name. I don't trust him to be a Sheikh."
@damtosfashion made a plea, stating, "Pls help us deal with this man ooo. He's been a reason for more active activities of this people." This sentiment reflects a faction that views Gumi's commentaries as enabling terrorist activities.
Another user, @OloriSiji1, suggested imminent consequences: "You still dey respect am, hand go touch him soon."
The call for action was even more direct from @tok2ward, who tagged the US President: "@POTUS this Gumi is a one man behind the banditry, killing and kidnapping going on in Nigeria. See to him please."
Offers of reward for action also emerged, with @AprilNonic sharing, "Amen. One cooler of pounded yam and white soup for the team that will bundle out this man. Bills on me."
Broader Context: Skepticism and Calls for Arrest
This event did not occur in isolation. As reported, a Nigerian pastor had earlier called for the arrest and prosecution of Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, accusing him of defending terrorists following the Sokoto airstrike. This earlier controversy had already sparked mixed reactions across social media platforms.
Furthermore, some voices, including a Nigerian journalist, have expressed doubts and called for concrete proof regarding the success and details of the US military operation in Sokoto, indicating that the discourse extends beyond Gumi to the veracity of the counter-terrorism action itself.
The viral message from the Nigerian-born US soldier has therefore amplified an existing, complex national conversation about security, external military intervention, and the role of public figures in commenting on terrorist activities.
