Faisal Salisu Dambatta
AYDM hails operation, urges sustained global collaboration against extremism
The joint military strike on terrorists’ hideouts in Sokoto State by Nigerian and United States forces last Thursday has been described as a bold and strategic step towards stamping out extremism in the country.
In a statement issued at the weekend, the Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM), a coalition of 130 pan-Yoruba groups, said the operation underscored a firm and consistent international resolve to combat Islamic fundamentalism in Nigeria.
The statement was signed by AYDM’s General Secretary, Popoola Ajayi, and Rasaq Arogundade.
AYDM called for the immediate arrest of Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, whom it described as the alleged leader of the terrorists’ intellectual wing.
“Sheikh Gumi should be arrested. He is a terrorist masquerading as an Islamic scholar. We are prepared to mount both local and international campaigns to ensure his arrest and prosecution at the International Criminal Court (ICC),” the group said.
The coalition warned governors in the Southwest to heighten security preparedness, noting that terrorists might attempt retaliatory attacks in the region, particularly targeting the home base of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and foreign economic interests.
AYDM urged the United States and Nigeria to sustain and intensify joint military strikes, stressing that terrorism could not be defeated without continued international cooperation.
According to the group, the rising wave of Islamic extremism reflects a violent clash of civilisations in Nigeria, calling on President Tinubu and the National Assembly to decentralise the country to allow for ethnic self-determination.
“We welcome the attacks on terrorists determined to take over Nigerian space. The operation has shown that Nigeria is building effective global partnerships to reclaim its lost sovereignty. However, these attacks are not enough. It is time to restructure Nigeria so that proponents of a theocratic state and advocates of democracy can pursue their ideals within separate sovereign republics,” the statement said.
AYDM maintained that no country could successfully fight terrorism in isolation, emphasising the importance of intelligence sharing and joint operations with allies.
It alleged that terrorism in Nigeria had become a tool for political bargaining.
“Terrorists and their sponsors are blackmailing Nigeria to surrender political power to them or face widespread violence,” the group said.
AYDM further claimed that the terrorists were backed by ideological camps comprising wealthy and influential Fulani elites, who allegedly support violence aimed at making Nigeria ungovernable in order to trigger a military coup or total control of the political economy.
“With U.S. involvement in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations, the days of the terrorists are numbered,” the group added.
The coalition also urged President Tinubu to expand Nigeria’s counter-terrorism alliances to include countries such as Russia and Israel.
“Nigeria needs as many strategic partners as possible to defeat terrorism. The authorities should seek collaboration with Russia and Israel, countries known for providing unconditional support to Africa’s quest for freedom,” AYDM said.
It noted that Russia’s experience in counter-terrorism operations in the Sahel could be instrumental in strengthening Nigeria’s anti-terrorism framework.
