Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has said he was informed that his name appeared on a list of individuals allegedly marked for elimination by the United States on the same day American forces carried out air operations in north-west Nigeria.
Gumi made the disclosure in a video message to worshippers that has since circulated widely online.
He said an unnamed contact in Abuja called him early in the morning to warn that a security meeting had identified him among those to be targeted.
“I was told that my name was among those listed by the Americans for elimination through an air strike,” the cleric said.
The claim followed U.S. air raids conducted on December 25, 2025, which Washington said were aimed at fighters linked to the Islamic State group in Sokoto State.
The strikes, later acknowledged by U.S. officials and referenced by President Donald Trump, sparked controversy over the legality and implications of foreign military action inside Nigeria.
Gumi used the address to denounce external military intervention, arguing that such operations deepen instability rather than resolve it.
He also suggested that global powers bear some responsibility for the growth of extremist movements in the region.
The cleric further criticised political and religious leaders in northern Nigeria for what he described as their failure to speak out or take decisive action against the violence affecting communities.
His comments have generated strong reactions across social and political circles, with supporters defending his right to speak and critics questioning the credibility of his claims.
Neither the Nigerian government nor U.S. authorities have confirmed that any individual Nigerian was placed on a U.S. targeting list, leaving the allegation as Gumi’s personal account.