Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — Former Niger Delta militant leader Asari Dokubo has publicly criticised the recent U.S.‑backed airstrikes in Sokoto State, dismissing official claims about the operation’s success and alleging that it failed to hit any legitimate armed group targets, instead endangering civilians and striking empty terrain. Asari’s remarks add to a growing chorus of scepticism and controversy surrounding the December 25–26 military action.
The airstrikes, authorised by the United States and conducted in collaboration with Nigerian authorities, were reported by the U.S. and Nigerian governments as precision operations targeting Islamic State‑linked militant camps in the Bauni forest area of Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Officials asserted that the strikes neutralised multiple insurgents and underscored deepening security cooperation between Abuja and Washington.
However, in a statement circulated on social media and various platforms, Asari Dokubo challenged the veracity of those claims, saying the operation did not effectively strike any armed groups and instead saw munitions fall in open fields that posed no clear threat, increasing the risk to local residents. He said drones and long‑range weapons had been deployed, but that the strikes failed to demonstrate evidence of neutralised militants or destroyed strongholds.
Asari demanded that authorities produce clear evidence of insurgents killed or militant infrastructure destroyed during the operation, arguing that public confidence in counterterrorism efforts depends on accountability and transparency. His comments echoed local concerns captured in independent reports, which noted that in some locations, such as Jabo village in Tambuwal Local Government Area, missiles reportedly impacted non‑combatant areas with no confirmed militant presence, prompting doubts about the intelligence guiding the strikes.
The former militant leader’s criticism comes amidst broad discussion within Nigeria about the strategic logic and potential unintended consequences of foreign‑supported military interventions. Some analysts and community members, particularly in affected areas, have expressed confusion or alarm at the strikes, reporting that skies lit up and homes rattled during the night long bombardment — even as no civilian casualties were officially confirmed.
Government sources maintain that the joint airstrikes were focused on transnational extremist threats, and officials have urged calm among residents while asserting that no civilians were harmed. Sokoto State authorities have also publicly supported the collaborative approach to degrading extremist networks in the region.
Nonetheless, Asari’s rebuke reflects broader scepticism among certain segments of the Nigerian public about both the effectiveness of aerial bombardment in countering complex insurgent networks and the implications of foreign military action on Nigerian soil. Critics have warned that poorly executed or inadequately explained operations risk undermining trust in government strategies, and could potentially fuel insurgent propaganda or backlash.
The controversy comes at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with multiple security challenges, including insurgency, banditry and trans‑Saharan militant movements. While military cooperation with international partners has been viewed by some as a necessary component of a comprehensive security strategy, voices like Asari’s insist on clearer evidence of operational successes and stronger safeguards to protect civilian communities.
As debates over the utility and consequences of the Sokoto strikes unfold, the public and policymakers alike are watching for further official updates, independent assessments and community impact reports that might clarify the true outcomes of the U.S.‑coordinated action and guide future counterterrorism efforts.
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