According to The Punch, former Attorney General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa, has made a controversial call for the Nigerian government to invite US military air strikes against bandits terrorizing Benue State. Aondoakaa argued that the local security apparatus has been overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the gangs and that international intervention is now required to prevent a total collapse of order in the Middle Belt.
The senior lawyer suggested that the US could deploy precision drones similar to those used in counter-terrorism operations elsewhere. His remarks have sparked a fierce debate over national sovereignty and the effectiveness of current military strategies. Critics argue that foreign intervention could complicate the local conflict, while supporters believe it is a necessary ‘shock therapy’ for the escalating violence.
Validation of these remarks appeared in Daily Post and Leadership. Daily Post reported that ‘Aondoakaa’s proposal has divided the legal and security community,’ while Leadership quoted a security analyst who warned: ‘Inviting foreign strikes on your own soil is a dangerous precedent that rarely ends well.’
Echotitbits take: This is a desperate call that reflects the level of frustration in Benue State. While highly unlikely to happen—as the US rarely intervenes in internal banditry—it puts immense pressure on the Nigerian Air Force to show more ‘precision’ in their own operations. Watch for a defensive statement from the Defence Headquarters in response to Aondoakaa.
Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/ex-agf-aondoakaa-calls-for-us-air-strikes-in-benue/ January 5, 2026
Photo Credit: The Punch
