A security expert, Zagazola Makama, has said that the United States military airstrikes carried out in Sokoto State did not affect terrorist groups and were aimed at the wrong location.
The airstrikes were carried out on Christmas night and caused fear among residents of Sokoto State. A viral video showed people in Jabo community, located in Tambuwal Local Government Area, running in panic after an explosive hit the area and burst into flames.
As of the time of reporting, there were no confirmed casualties, and official details of the military operation have not been released.
Reacting to the incident, Makama explained that the bombs fell on farmland in an area that is known to be largely peaceful. According to him, Jabo community has no record of activities linked to terrorist groups such as ISIS or ISWAP, which operate mainly in Nigeria’s North-East.
He stated that while foreign support to Nigeria’s fight against insecurity can be helpful, the location hit in Sokoto State is not known to be a base for Boko Haram, ISWAP, ISIS, or other related groups. He also noted that groups such as JNIM, also known as Lakurawa, are not known to have camps in that part of the North-West.
Makama added that the area affected by the airstrikes is mostly made up of Muslim residents and has no link to claims of attacks driven by religious motives. He said the security challenge in the area is largely related to banditry, where armed groups attack local communities.
Despite the error in location, the analyst said continued action against armed groups could serve as a warning to criminals, even though the Sokoto strike itself did not weaken any terror network.
The incident has continued to raise questions among residents and observers as discussions grow over foreign military involvement and targeting accuracy in Nigeria’s fight against insecurity.