Nigeria’s collaboration with the United States in a recent airstrike on terrorist targets in Northwest Nigeria has sparked concern among experts. The operation, which was carried out with the aim of targeting insurgents, has raised questions about the potential unintended consequences of such joint military operations.
According to Ahmad Isma’il, a diplomacy expert, Nigeria should exercise caution when engaging in joint military operations with the United States. Isma’il noted that the US typically acts in its own interests, rather than out of goodwill. He questioned the Nigerian government’s handling of the operation, citing discrepancies between the US and Nigerian accounts of the strike.
The US Department of War released a video of the strike, which was carried out in the Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The attack was preceded by comments from former US President Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who spoke about the killing of Christians in Nigeria and warned of tougher action if the violence did not stop.
The Nigerian government confirmed that the cooperation with the US led to precise airstrikes in the North-West, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stating that the collaboration includes intelligence sharing, strategic coordination, and other support. However, security expert Captain Abdullahi Bakoji (rtd) warned that the airstrike poses both advantages and risks, including the potential for affecting Nigeria’s sovereignty and harming innocent civilians.
Bakoji noted that the use of US drones and satellites could improve surveillance and intelligence gathering, but also cautioned that foreign military presence could be seen as interference and used as propaganda by insurgents. He emphasized that Nigeria’s insecurity has deep-rooted causes that cannot be fixed by military action alone.
The incident has highlighted the complexities of international cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts. As Nigeria continues to grapple with insecurity, the collaboration with the US has sparked debate about the potential benefits and drawbacks of such joint operations. The Nigerian government has reassured that the cooperation is consistent with international law and respect for sovereignty, but experts remain cautious about the potential unintended consequences of such engagements.