Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has reacted to the reported killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as the second-in-command of ISIS worldwide, in a joint operation involving American forces and the Nigerian military.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, Gumi said that fighting terrorism is a religious duty but criticised what he described as cooperation with individuals whose “hands stained with the blood of innocent men, women, and children.”
“It’s a religious obligation to annihilate terrorists, but not with Beelzebub and hands stained with the blood of innocent men, women, and children,” he wrote.
His comments followed an announcement by US President Donald Trump, who said American forces, in collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces, carried out an operation that resulted in the killing of al-Minuki in Africa.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the mission was based on extensive intelligence gathering and coordinated efforts aimed at tracking the ISIS leader across the continent.
According to him, Al-Minuki was one of ISIS’s most active operatives, allegedly involved in coordinating attacks and supporting terrorist activities against both American and African targets.
Trump added that the operation would deal a major blow to ISIS operations globally and help reduce the group’s influence in Africa.
He also praised the Nigerian government and military for their role and cooperation in the joint mission.
