“Don’t Kill Terrorists With Bloodstained Hands” – Sheikh Gumi Reacts To Killing Of ISIS Leader, Al-Manuki

Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has sparked fresh debate following his reaction to the elimination of the ISIS second-in-command, Abu-Bilal Al-Munuki, by joint U.S. and Nigerian forces.

In a cryptic Facebook post shared on Saturday, Gumi, who has long advocated for dialogue and amnesty for bandits, argued that while there is a religious obligation to “annihilate terrorists,” the act should not be carried out by those he described as having “bloodstained hands.”

“It’s a religious obligation to annihilate terrorists, but not with Beelzebub and hands stained with the blood of innocent men, women, and children,” the Kaduna-based cleric stated.

Gumi’s remarks come barely 24 hours after United States President Donald Trump announced the successful neutralization of Al-Manuki on Nigerian soil. The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) subsequently released footage of the precision airstrikes, describing the operation as a major victory in the global war on terror.

The Trump administration further noted that the execution of the ISIS kingpin served as a stern reminder that the U.S. would continue to hunt down those responsible for the targeted killing of Christians and other innocent citizens in Nigeria.

This is not the first time Sheikh Gumi has slammed foreign intervention in Nigeria’s security matters. In December 2025, he similarly criticized the United States after a strike against terrorists in Sokoto State, accusing the Western power of hypocrisy.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Presidency has cleared the air regarding reports from 2024 that claimed Al-Manuki had been killed previously. A presidential spokesperson clarified on Saturday that the earlier report was a case of “mistaken identity,” confirming that the ISIS leader was indeed the target eliminated in the Friday operation.

While the government celebrates the tactical success, Gumi’s latest stance has drawn mixed reactions, with many questioning his persistent push for soft-landing approaches toward designated terrorist groups.