Prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Mahmoud Gumi has stirred a new debate on Nigeria’s escalating security woes, stating that unseen international forces may be covertly aiding criminal networks destabilising the country.
In a discussion monitored in Kaduna through a BBC Hausa broadcast, Gumi suggested that the renewed pattern of coordinated attacks, kidnappings and rural invasions bears the hallmark of foreign influence rather than isolated local operations.
He argued that the trajectory of insecurity in Nigeria had shown noticeable progress before violence surged again, citing the Abuja–Kaduna expressway as a reference point.
“When a major highway that once terrified every traveller suddenly becomes safe for months and then terrifying again, something beyond the ordinary is at play,” he said.
Moreover, the cleric pointed to agricultural communities in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, where farmers recently returned to farmlands they had abandoned for years due to fear of bandits.
He described that return as proof that local security formations were gaining ground before the latest reversals.
Gumi questioned how such hard-earned gains collapsed so abruptly, insisting that the sudden decline demands a deeper probe.
“Progress does not vanish overnight without a trigger. The country must courageously ask who benefits from Nigeria’s instability,” he added.
However, he encouraged the federal authorities to go beyond conventional military responses and invest heavily in intelligence-led operations.
He also urged the government to strengthen diplomatic channels and examine every external link that may be feeding the violence.
Security analysts in Kaduna believe Gumi’s remarks reflect broader public anxiety amid the recurring attacks.
The conversation around external influence adds another layer to Nigeria’s security discourse, one that stretches beyond borders and demands diplomatic as much as defensive solutions.