Nigeria has been thrown into shock following credible reports that several prominent Northern political and religious figures, including former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, have reportedly fled the country amid international pressure over alleged terrorism sponsorship.

According to multiple security sources, El-Rufai secretly departed Nigeria for Qatar late on Sunday night, just hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump issued a global statement warning that America would take decisive military and diplomatic action against individuals and nations harboring or supporting terrorist groups in Africa, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

Trump’s statement, which spread rapidly across international media and social networks, reportedly sent waves of panic among Northern political elites and individuals previously accused of having links to insurgent groups. The former U.S. leader emphasized that “those who fund, protect, or harbor terrorist organizations anywhere in Africa will face direct consequences,” a remark that observers believe was directly aimed at sponsors of extremist violence in Nigeria’s northern region.

Sources within Nigeria’s security agencies revealed that Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, also left the country within hours of the announcement. Pantami, who faced public criticism in the past over alleged extremist sympathies—claims he has consistently denied—was said to have traveled to the Middle East, reportedly the same destination as El-Rufai. Although official confirmation has not been made, security insiders suggest the sudden departures were not coincidental but strategic attempts to evade potential international sanctions or investigations.

Similarly, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, the controversial Islamic cleric known for his frequent mediation between the Nigerian government and armed bandit groups, has reportedly relocated to Turkey. Gumi gained notoriety over the years for his open advocacy of dialogue with insurgents and his involvement in negotiating ransom payments for kidnapped victims. While he has always defended his actions as humanitarian, critics have accused him of legitimizing terrorist operations and providing a soft landing for bandit commanders.

The sudden exodus of these high-profile figures has triggered widespread debate and speculation across Nigeria. Many citizens, particularly from the country’s southern and middle-belt regions, view the developments as confirmation of long-held suspicions that certain Northern politicians and clerics were deeply complicit in financing or protecting violent extremist networks responsible for the deaths of thousands of civilians.

A rights activist in Abuja, speaking to GlintNews International, remarked that “for years, Nigerians have said that some people in government were behind the killings, kidnappings, and church attacks in the North. They were called conspiracy theorists, but now their claims appear to be true. No innocent person runs away at the sound of justice.”

Unverified reports indicate that several other politicians from Northern Nigeria are also preparing to leave the country amid growing uncertainty and fear of being placed under international watchlists. Among those rumored to be under close scrutiny is Vice President Kashim Shettima, who has in the past faced accusations of links to Boko Haram during his tenure as governor of Borno State—allegations he has strongly denied.

Diplomatic observers warn that these developments could place Nigeria under renewed foreign policy pressure. The United States and its Western allies have increasingly shown frustration over Nigeria’s inability to dismantle terrorist networks despite years of military aid and intelligence support. Should Washington proceed with sanctions or targeted operations against individuals deemed complicit, it could significantly strain bilateral relations and trigger a political crisis in Nigeria.

The Nigerian public, already exhausted by years of insurgency, insecurity, and economic hardship, is now watching events unfold with deep concern. For many, the apparent flight of El-Rufai, Gumi, Pantami, and other influential figures is not only an indictment of the Nigerian government’s past failures but also a chance for long-awaited justice to take its course.

Nigeria’s northern region has endured over a decade of devastating violence from Boko Haram, ISWAP, and other bandit militias that have displaced millions and claimed tens of thousands of lives. Despite billions spent on defense and counterterrorism, the persistence of attacks has fueled suspicions of political protection and sponsorship from within the corridors of power.

As international attention turns once again toward Nigeria, global agencies such as the United Nations, African Union, and ECOWAS are expected to monitor the situation closely. Whether the current wave of panic among Northern elites leads to genuine accountability or merely another cycle of evasion remains to be seen. But for many Nigerians, one truth is clear: the era of impunity may finally be coming to an end.