Key stakeholders from Nigeria's South-South region have issued a strong call for a holistic and nationwide approach to security, while simultaneously commending recent military action by the United States against terrorist targets within the country.
Regional Leaders Welcome US Intervention
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), alongside the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) and other stakeholders, reacted to the December 25 airstrikes conducted by the U.S. military in Sokoto State. The operation, described by U.S. President Donald Trump as a "powerful and deadly" series of strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets, was framed as a "sword of justice" aimed at protecting persecuted Christians.
Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini, spokesperson for PANDEF, stated that the apex regional body welcomes any genuine effort to restore peace and development in Nigeria. He lamented that the nation has grappled with persistent insecurity for over a decade, leading to a deeply unfair situation where thousands of Nigerians have remained in IDP camps for more than 11 years.
"In development studies, it is stated that crisis anywhere is crisis everywhere," Ominimini emphasized, highlighting that insecurity in one region inevitably affects the entire nation. He pointed to the migration of persons displaced by Boko Haram to other areas, including the South-South, as a factor contributing to rising kidnapping and criminality. "Today, forests in parts of the Niger Delta are reportedly occupied by kidnappers. What PANDEF seeks is total security and peace across Nigeria," he added.
Calls for Cooperation and Civilian Impact Assessment
While commending the U.S. intervention, PANDEF urged the Nigerian Federal Government to strengthen collaboration with American authorities. "Nigeria should broaden its horizon and work closely with the U.S. government to flush out insurgents, not only in the North but across the country," Ominimini advised.
Echoing the need for closer cooperation, particularly in intelligence sharing, YEAC-Nigeria also praised the U.S. action. However, the advocacy group expressed significant concern over reports that some munitions from the Christmas Day operation allegedly landed in civilian areas. Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, cited reports indicating bombs fell in the Jabo community, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
"Although no casualties have been reported, the incident raises serious concerns about potential human rights violations," Fyneface stated. The group has called on Nigerian authorities to:
- Immediately investigate the impact of the airstrikes on affected communities.
- Conduct a comprehensive assessment, including possible health implications.
- Provide adequate compensation to the Jabo community and repair or replace damaged civilian infrastructure and property.
A Broader Push for Lasting Peace
The discourse extended beyond the immediate airstrike, with analysts framing it as part of a larger security imperative. Public affairs analyst, Derateide Robison, described the U.S. action as a positive step towards ending religious extremism in parts of northern Nigeria. He congratulated peace-loving Nigerians and urged the U.S. to extend its focus to alleged sponsors and sympathizers of terrorism, which he claimed could include elements within religious hierarchies, the military, and government circles.
The collective stance from these Southern groups underscores a critical national consensus: external military assistance is noted, but the ultimate responsibility for achieving comprehensive security and lasting peace across all of Nigeria's territories rests on a robust, inclusive, and effective domestic strategy.
