Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a prominent Islamic scholar and former Nigerian military officer, has reacted to reports suggesting that Iran could attack Iraq if the country allows the United States to use its military bases for operations against Tehran.
The reports emerged amid rising tensions between Iran and the United States, with Washington reportedly seeking support from allied countries in the region as part of its military strategy.
According to circulating media reports, Iraqi authorities are concerned that permitting the U.S. to launch military operations from its territory could make the country a direct target of Iranian retaliation. The development comes as geopolitical tensions continue to escalate between both nations, raising fears of a wider regional conflict in the Middle East. Reacting to the reports in a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Sheikh Gumi suggested that the situation offers insight into how external forces can influence conflicts in other regions, including Africa. He argued that the activities of armed groups in northern Nigeria may not be entirely local in origin but could be connected to broader geopolitical interests.
Gumi specifically mentioned militant groups such as Boko Haram and armed bandits operating in northern Nigeria. According to him, the way these groups are armed and supported raises questions about whether outside forces are exploiting local conflicts to destabilize the region. His remarks imply that international rivalries and power struggles could indirectly fuel insecurity in parts of Nigeria. However, such claims remain part of ongoing public debate, as analysts and security experts continue to examine the complex causes behind insurgency and banditry in the country.