Prominent Nigerian figures Shehu Sani and Omoyele Sowore have expressed sharply divergent opinions regarding the recent United States military operation against terrorist targets in Sokoto State. The airstrike, which occurred on Christmas Day and was confirmed by US authorities, has ignited a fierce national conversation about security, foreign intervention, and national sovereignty.
Shehu Sani's Conditional Justification
Reacting via his verified account on the social media platform X, former senator Shehu Sani stated that the military action could be considered justifiable if it was conducted in collaboration with Nigerian authorities. He referenced a post from US AFRICOM (Africa Command) suggesting the operation was a joint effort.
Sani described terrorist groups operating in the North West region as having become "cancerous cells" within the nation, posing a grave threat to all citizens regardless of religious or ethnic background. He strongly dismissed narratives that suggest the terrorism crisis targets only one faith, labeling such claims as misleading.
However, the former lawmaker issued a crucial caveat. "The ultimate security and peace in our country lies with ourselves and not with the US or any foreign power," Sani wrote. He emphasized that while foreign forces might execute complementary strikes, Nigeria must ultimately take primary responsibility for its own security challenges.
Sowore's Stern Rebuke and Sovereignty Concern
In stark contrast, human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore launched a scathing criticism of the airstrike. He characterized the operation as a clear violation of Nigeria's sovereignty and cited it as evidence of leadership failure under President Bola Tinubu's administration.
Sowore stated he reviewed reports confirming the strike was carried out on Nigerian soil on December 25, following announcements by former US President Donald Trump and the US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth. He dismissed the Nigerian government's subsequent statement describing the action as a joint effort with international partners.
"Judging by the nature of the confirmed strike on a village in Sokoto, it is clear that the US President under whose authority this operation occurred neither understands nor genuinely cares about Nigeria or Nigerians," Sowore asserted.
He warned that the incident highlights Nigeria's alarming vulnerability, reducing the country to a passive observer while foreign powers conduct military operations within its borders. Sowore argued that only strong, informed, and independent leadership could secure Nigeria, and that reliance on foreign military intervention fundamentally undermines national dignity and self-determination.
Government Confirmation and Broader Context
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs later confirmed the air strikes, describing them as "precision hits" conducted within the framework of existing security cooperation with international partners, including the United States.
In a statement signed by spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, the ministry noted that Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation which encompasses intelligence sharing and strategic coordination, carried out in line with international law and with respect for Nigeria's sovereignty.
The United States Department of War released a video showing the aerial launch of the strike on the terrorist positions in Sokoto, confirming it was a US-led military action against identified ISIS-linked targets. The release of the video has further fueled public discourse and analysis of the event.
The opposing reactions from Shehu Sani and Omoyele Sowore encapsulate the central dilemma facing Nigeria: balancing the urgent need for effective action against entrenched terrorist threats with the imperative of safeguarding national sovereignty and building self-reliant security capabilities. This event is likely to continue stimulating debate on Nigeria's counterterrorism strategy and its relationships with global powers.
