A young Nigerian man from Sokoto State has publicly condemned a recent military attack by the United States on alleged Islamic State (ISIS) bases within the state, accusing former US President Donald Trump of targeting innocent civilians.
Sokoto Resident Denies ISIS Presence, Questions Motive
The reaction from Jamilu Umar Jabbi came days after Donald Trump issued a statement confirming the bombing of ISIS facilities in Sokoto. In a Facebook post that has sparked widespread debate, Jabbi vehemently disputed the core justification for the attack.
"Where is ISIS in Sokoto?" Jabbi asked pointedly. He argued that the airstrike, which he said occurred in the middle of the night in the Jabo area, hit a location with no recorded history of terrorist activity.
He challenged the strategic logic behind the strike, stating, "If he was truly fighting terrorism, he would have gone to Zamfara, Katsina, or eastern Sokoto—places that have recorded serious attacks. But instead, he chose to strike innocent people."
Allegations of a Hidden Agenda Against Muslims
Jabbi did not stop at questioning the target's validity; he suggested a broader, more sinister motive behind the operation. He called on northern and Nigerian leaders to oppose what he termed an injustice.
In his statement, he drew historical and geopolitical parallels to question the consistency of the US action. "If his aim is truly to protect Christians, why is he stating his war in Venezuela, which is 95% Christian? Or why didn’t he go to protect Palestine from Benjamin Netanyahu, where over 65% of the population are Christians?" he queried.
He concluded this line of thought by asserting, "Clearly, this is part of a hidden agenda against Muslims." He expressed faith that divine protection would prevail over such agendas.
Mixed Public Reactions to the Accusations
The online reaction to Jabbi's post has been sharply divided, reflecting the contentious nature of the event.
Some commenters strongly supported the US action. A user named Efgiong responded, "Shut up, Sokoto is their camp... No innocent was killed." Another, Dung, wrote, "It's good that he strike Sokoto to eliminate these criminals."
Another commenter, sky, took a sarcastic tone: "He is fighting terrorism. All Muslim leaders cannot stop terrorists, now Trump has come to stop it for you all. Enjoy!"
The incident and the subsequent outcry occur amidst a complex security landscape in northern Nigeria, where communities often grapple with multiple security threats. The US military's direct involvement, confirmed by Trump, marks a significant and controversial escalation that continues to generate heated discussion both online and offline.
