Frontline Nigerian soldiers battling Boko Haram terrorists in Yobe state have strongly opposed any potential military intervention by United States forces, warning that such foreign involvement would only worsen the country's security situation.
Soldiers Question America's True Motives
The troops, speaking exclusively from their operational base in Yobe, expressed deep skepticism about America's intentions in Nigeria. They suggested that the United States' interest extends beyond humanitarian concerns to potentially include access to Nigeria's vast mineral resources.
"The US is not coming to help Nigerians because of genocide," one soldier revealed. "They're after our mineral resources, we all know Nigeria is a blessed country. If they defeat Boko Haram and bandits, the Federal Government would have to give them a percentage."
Internal Crisis Requires Internal Solutions
The military personnel emphasized that Nigeria's security challenges are fundamentally internal matters that cannot be resolved by foreign forces. They argued that external military intervention would not bring lasting solutions and would instead increase suffering among Nigerian civilians.
One soldier explained their position clearly: "Our troops at the frontline will not be happy if the US military intervenes. The crisis will not end, and Nigerians will suffer." This sentiment reflects the broader concern among frontline forces about the potential consequences of foreign military presence.
Frontline Realities and Welfare Concerns
Despite their opposition to foreign intervention, the soldiers openly discussed the challenging conditions they face in their prolonged fight against terrorism. Many have endured extended deployments in remote bush locations, with limited opportunities to reconnect with their families.
"Some soldiers have been in the bush for more than six years fighting terrorists," shared one soldier. "You only get a short leave of 18 or 21 days to see your family and come back."
Remarkably, despite these difficult circumstances, the soldiers reported significant progress in their operations against insurgents. One soldier confidently stated: "The Nigerian Army is really dealing with them this time around. We're killing them and seizing their weapons. That's why they're running to other locations."
The soldiers' comments follow recent remarks by former US President Donald Trump about alleged religious persecution in Nigeria, which had sparked discussions about potential American military involvement in the country's security affairs.
