A Nigerian journalist has cast doubt on the outcome of a United States military operation against Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists in Sokoto State, demanding verifiable proof of casualties. This reaction follows confirmation from former US President Donald Trump that he ordered the strikes.
Journalist Raises Questions Over Strike Effectiveness
Victor Chukwuedo Onwuemene took to his Facebook page to express his skepticism regarding the attack, which targeted ISIS bases in northern Nigeria. He stated he was yet to get the full number of ISIS terrorists that were eliminated from the USA's strike.
In his post, Onwuemene argued that without clear evidence, the operation could be considered a failure. "If there are no scores then I must say it was a fruitless attempt," he wrote. He further challenged the authorities to provide results, adding, "If there's a strike, let it come with force and results please, thanks."
Public Reactions to the Demand for Evidence
The journalist's call for transparency sparked a range of reactions from the online community, reflecting public sentiment and speculation.
Uloho suggested that the Nigerian government might conceal casualty figures even if the strike was successful, commenting, "Even if there are casualties, I've this deep feelings that the Nigerian Government would definitely hide it from the public."
Chidi questioned the choice of location, asking, "I am asking why sokoto??? Why not plateau abi jos???"
Others, like Jakes, interpreted the silence from certain quarters as a sign of the strike's success: "As someone who has known core Northerners for long, if there was no casualty, you'd have seen jubilation posts from them. But since they're condemning the strike, just know it was effective."
Another user, Uchenna, viewed the action as a strategic warning: "It's not futile attack.this is just to bring awareness that the US is at their door step."
Context and Related Developments
The airstrike, confirmed by Donald Trump, represents a significant international intervention in Nigeria's security landscape. In a related report, a Nigerian man serving in the US military reportedly revealed details about the operation, including the number of missiles used against the terrorist targets in Sokoto.
This incident has fueled broader discussions online about foreign military involvement and the transparency of counter-terrorism operations within Nigerian territory. The demand for proof by a local journalist underscores a growing public insistence on accountability and clear results in the fight against insurgency.
