A popular Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, has accused the Nigerian troops fighting Boko Haram insurgency of going into the theatre of war under the influence of substances.
In an interview with Daily Trust, Mr Gumi said: “This is why immediately Boko Haram insurgents chant Allahu Akbar (Allah is Great); some of our soldiers would throw away their weapons and took to their heels.
“But if we have exclusively Muslims legions under the leadership of Imams, they will fight the war as Jihad.
“They will follow the principles of holy war and this insurgency would come to an end insha Allah. If Boko Haram chants Allahu Akbar, our soldiers, who know that they are fighting a holy war, would also chant Allahu Akbar and fight to the end.
Mr Gumi said the war against Boko Haram cannot be successful without the use of Islamic war principles.
“I think we should try this experiment so that this insurgency would be brought to an end. The turn of events in this Boko Haram war always amazes me.
“The way things are going can confuse any decent mind. Therefore, we must apply religious principles to fight this war.”
The cleric therefore called for the establishment of exclusive Muslims legions in the Nigerian military to fight Boko Haram.
Mr Gumi said each of the legions should be led by an Imam, Islamic cleric, who will direct the war through Islamic principle.
