Security expert questions US airstrikes in Sokoto State
By OUR REPORTER
Security expert Zagazola Makama has criticised the recent US military airstrikes in Sokoto State, claiming the target was a farming community with no known terrorist activity.
The strikes, which occurred on Christmas night, caused panic among residents of the Jabo community of Tambuwal Local Government in Sokoto South known to have enjoyed its peace without cases of terrorism over the years.
Makama argued that the strikes were ineffective and missed the actual targets of insurgent groups operating in other parts of Nigeria.
Zagazola Makama said the multiple airstrikes by the United States military in Sokoto State was a wrong target.
Recall that the US military on Christmas night launched attacks on terrorists in Sokoto State , causing panic in the state
Although Nigerian government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the military operations had nothing to do with religion but United States of America’s President Donald Trump’s earlier announcement before the Nigerian authorities said he did the airstrikes to protect Christians in Nigeria.
That use of protecting in Nigeria has been described as an unfortunate statement that has divided Nigerians more along religion line.
In a viral video, residents of the Jabo community in Tambuwal Local Government Area of the state were seen in panic after one of the airstrikes landed in the community and went up in flame.
Details of the operation are not yet available as no casualty has so far been reported.
However, in a post on X, Makama said the airstrikes landed on a farm with no impact on the insurgents terrorising parts of Nigeria.
He wrote, “Those Asking for our opinion on the U.S. Strike in Sokoto. Well, the Bombs Dropped in a Relatively Safe Part of Sokoto State with no impact.
“Jabo is a farming community under Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and it has no single record of ISIS and ISWAP activity.
“We welcome U.S interventions to assist Nigeria, but certainly Jabo community in Sokoto was a wrong target for ISWAP, Boko Haram or ISIS who are known to be operating in the North East Nigeria.
“Even JNIM a.k.a Lakurawa do not have any base in North West. The area of strikes is also predominantly 98 Muslim population and does not possess any threat to Christian Genocide. It is a case of bandits terrorizing muslims. ‘The strikes and more to come is a welcome development as it will send a big message.”
