SUNTV Global Channel Report
A counter-terrorism and security expert, Zagazola Makama, has raised serious concerns over the recent United States military airstrikes in Sokoto State, describing the operation as misdirected and ineffective against terrorist groups.
The airstrikes, reportedly carried out on Thursday in North-west Nigeria, have generated widespread public debate. Reacting to the development, Makama said the bombs were dropped in an area with no known terrorist presence, resulting in zero impact on insurgent networks.
In a post shared via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, the security analyst stated that the strikes landed in a relatively peaceful part of Sokoto State.
“Those asking for our opinion on the U.S. strike in Sokoto: the bombs were dropped in a relatively safe area with no impact,” Makama wrote.
According to him, the location identified as Jabo community, under Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, is a farming settlement with no history of activities linked to terrorist organisations such as Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), or ISIS.
“Jabo is a farming community under Tambuwal LGA, and it has no single record of ISIS or ISWAP activity,” he said.
Makama emphasised that while international military support is welcome in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, such interventions must be driven by accurate and reliable intelligence to avoid targeting innocent communities.
“We welcome U.S. interventions to assist Nigeria, but certainly Jabo community in Sokoto was the wrong target for ISWAP, Boko Haram or ISIS, who are known to be operating mainly in North-east Nigeria,” he noted.
He further dismissed claims linking terror groups to the North-west, adding that even Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), also known locally as Lakurawa, does not have an established base in the region.
Addressing narratives suggesting religious motivations behind the attack, Makama clarified that the affected community poses no threat to Christians and is predominantly Muslim.
“The area of the strikes is about 98 per cent Muslim population and does not pose any threat of Christian genocide. This is simply a case of bandits terrorising Muslim communities,” he explained.
Despite criticising the choice of target, the security expert maintained that sustained military pressure on recognised terrorist groups remains essential.
“The strikes, and more to come, are a welcome development as they will send a strong message,” Makama concluded.
— SUNTV Global Channel
