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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) of the Nigerian Army has revealed that the reason the military has not arrested nor invited controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, and other Islamic leaders over their condemnation of the Christmas Day airstrikes in Sokoto State carried out by the United States targeting terrorists enclaves.
Following the airstrikes, Sheikh Gumi and other top clerics has condemned the development, calling it a war against Islam, while also calling on the Nigerian government to immediately cut ties with the US.
According to
Sheikh Gumi tells Nigerian govt to halt military cooperation with US over airstrikes on ISWAP terrorists, the strikes which the US government was was targeted at ISIS-linked militants, added that it was nothing but a “neo-Crusade war against Islam” and could escalate tensions in the region.
He 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.
But while many Nigerians have been questioning why the Army or other security agencies have not picked him up for questioning, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, has explained why Gumi and his likes have not been picked up.
Onoja who clarified the position of the Nigerian Army while while fielding questions from journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, 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,” he said.
“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,” Onoja added.
The post Why we don’t respond to Gumi’s comments —DHQ appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.
