Did I just hear Sheikh Gumi say, 'Why is the government bombarding us?' Does that mean he's identifying himself with the terrorists?In the interview where the phrase “why is the government bombarding us” is being circulated, the main points attributed to him were generally along these lines:
He was criticizing the Nigerian military approach to banditry, arguing that heavy military operations and airstrikes in rural northern areas often affect civilians more than the armed groups themselves. He suggested that many of those labelled as “bandits” are embedded within communities, so airstrikes risk harming innocent people.
He also emphasized that:
Military force alone will not end the conflict
Dialogue and negotiation should be considered alongside force
Some communities feel abandoned or unfairly targeted during operations
There is a need for intelligence-led action rather than broad bombardment
The controversial part is where he reportedly used inclusive language like “us,” which critics interpret as him identifying with the groups, while supporters say he meant affected communities in general, not militants.
So, the statement is usually understood in context as a criticism of military tactics, not a declaration of belonging to terrorist groups.
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