The Chairman of the Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF), Elder Sunday Oibe, has defended the reported United States military action against terrorist groups in Nigeria, saying the country needs “all the help it can get” to end insecurity.
Elder Oibe faulted critics opposing foreign military involvement, arguing that international collaboration is necessary to defeat terrorism that has overwhelmed local capacity. He called for support and cooperation with allies willing to assist Nigeria in combating insurgency and banditry.
However, the reported US intervention has generated sharp criticism from other northern stakeholders, who expressed doubts about the intent, accuracy, and impact of the strike.
Muhammad Khaleed Jibril questioned the credibility of the United States as a partner, alleging that collaboration with countries perceived to be neutral would be more appropriate. He accused the US of selective intervention and warned that civilian populations could be endangered.
“They claim to be protecting Christians from genocide. Does that mean their government is for Christians alone? What is their agenda against Muslims?” Jibril asked. He added that while Nigerians would welcome genuine action against terrorists, any operation that harms civilians would be unacceptable.
Jibril also raised concerns about the reported location of the strike, which allegedly affected a farming community in Sokoto State.
“Why not strike known terrorist enclaves like the Sambisa Forest? Why target a millet farm in a village? Is a millet farm a Boko Haram or bandit hideout?” he asked, describing the incident as a failure of intelligence.
He concluded with a call for divine protection for civilians and condemnation of both terrorists and anyone acting against Nigeria’s national interest.
Similarly, Sunusi Yakubu criticized the reported airstrike, describing it as ineffective. He cited accounts from residents of the affected communities who reportedly said there were no ISIS fighters in their area at the time of the strike.
“The US airstrike was a show of shame. It completely missed the target,” Yakubu said. “If the United States truly wants to fight ISIS, it should focus on the North-East geopolitical zone and the fringes of Lake Chad, where these groups are known to operate.”
The differing reactions underscore deep divisions over foreign military involvement in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts, as concerns over sovereignty, intelligence accuracy, and civilian safety continue to dominate public debate.
Credit: Vanguard
