Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Sokoto State

  • Nigerian Senate Demands Briefing on U.S. Airstrikes in Sokoto Territory

    Nigerian Senate Demands Briefing on U.S. Airstrikes in Sokoto Territory

    Reporting by The Nation indicates that the Nigerian Senate has resolved to conduct a high-level, closed-door security briefing regarding the United States military airstrikes carried out in Sokoto State. Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, raised a point of order questioning the federal executive’s failure to consult the National Assembly before allowing foreign military intervention on sovereign soil. Senate leadership, headed by Godswill Akpabio, confirmed that an executive session has been scheduled to address these concerns and examine the legal framework surrounding foreign combat operations within Nigeria’s borders.

    The debate in the red chamber centers on the perceived violation of Nigeria’s territorial integrity and the exclusion of the legislative arm from sensitive security decisions. While the executive branch maintains that the strikes targeted specific terrorist hideouts to bolster regional stability, lawmakers are demanding transparency regarding the rules of engagement and decision-making protocols.

    The development was corroborated by Vanguard, which reported that the Senate summoned the nation’s security chiefs to explain the circumstances surrounding the U.S. air operations. Premium Times also followed the legislative tension, quoting Senator Ningi’s position that the National Assembly must not be sidelined in sovereignty-related decisions.

    Echotitbits take: This is a rare display of legislative pushback against executive security arrangements. While U.S. support can be tactically beneficial against insurgents, the Senate’s demand for a briefing signals a shift toward stricter oversight that could complicate future joint operations unless formal protocols are clarified.

    Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/senate-moves-us-air-strikes-debate-behind-closed-doors/ 2026-01-29

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Questions Grow Over Civilian Impact and Strategy After Reported US Airstrikes in Sokoto

    Questions Grow Over Civilian Impact and Strategy After Reported US Airstrikes in Sokoto

    As documented by The Guardian, concerns are being raised about the long-term impact of reported U.S. airstrikes targeting the ‘Lakurawa’ insurgent group in Sokoto State.

    While the strikes were said to have hit militant targets, local accounts have raised questions about debris and potential effects on civilian assets such as farmlands.

    Analysts say airpower can degrade leadership but must be matched with coordinated ground operations to prevent regrouping.

    **Echotitbits take:** Foreign strikes are tactically useful but politically risky if communities feel harmed or unheard. Watch for follow-up security operations, transparent damage assessments, and local engagement to avoid fresh grievances.
    Source: The Guardian Nigeria – https://guardian.ng/news/sokoto-airstrikes-nigerias-diplomatic-appeals-fall-on-deaf-ears-as-us-clings-to-christian-genocide-narrative/ 2026-01-08

    Photo Credit: The Guardian Nigeria

  • Nigerian Military Issues Urgent Alert Over Unexploded Ordnance Following US-Backed Strikes

    Nigerian Military Issues Urgent Alert Over Unexploded Ordnance Following US-Backed Strikes

    Reporting by BusinessDay indicates that the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has released a high-priority warning to residents in northern Nigeria concerning the dangers of unexploded ordnance (UXO). This follows a series of successful US-supported airstrikes targeting Islamic State-linked insurgent camps in Sokoto State.

    The military command noted that while the aerial bombardment successfully neutralized high-value targets, the risk of residual explosive materials remains high in the impacted zones. Local communities have been strictly advised to avoid picking up or tampering with any metallic objects or debris found near strike locations to prevent accidental detonations.

    Validation of this safety crisis comes from The Punch, which reported that ‘security forces are now conducting sweep-and-clear operations’ to decontaminate affected rural farmlands. Additionally, The Cable quoted a military spokesperson who emphasized that ‘civilians must not pick up such materials’ and should instead report sightings to the nearest security outpost.

    Echotitbits take: While the airstrikes provide a much-needed boost to national security, the humanitarian risk posed by UXOs could alienate local populations. The government needs to prioritize rapid decontamination of these areas to ensure that farmers can return to their fields without fear of stepping on explosives.

    Source: Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/nigeria-urges-civilians-avoid-debris-us-backed-strikes-islamists-2026-01-02/
    Reuters January 3, 2026

    Photo Credit: Reuters

  • Northern Communities Face Retaliatory Surge Following U.S. Strikes on Terrorist Cells

    Northern Communities Face Retaliatory Surge Following U.S. Strikes on Terrorist Cells

    Reporting by BusinessDay indicates a sharp rise in attacks across northern Nigeria following recent United States-backed airstrikes targeting Islamic State-linked militants in Sokoto State. Between late December 2025 and the first days of 2026, at least 47 deaths and 35 abductions have been documented.

    The violence has spread across Adamawa, Zamfara, and Kebbi states, with local leaders reporting nighttime raids on vulnerable villages. Despite the tactical success of the airstrikes, the immediate aftermath has seen bandit groups and Boko Haram remnants intensify their operations against civilian targets.

    The Cable confirmed these developments, reporting that ‘attacks intensify across northern Nigeria after U.S. strikes’ as insurgents regroup. In response, the Defence Headquarters issued a warning to civilians, stating: ‘We do not expect civilians to pick up or keep such materials,’ referring to unexploded ordnance found at strike sites.

    Echotitbits take: While international military support provides a technological edge, it often triggers ‘asymmetric’ retaliation. The Nigerian military must pivot from strike-based operations to ground-level community protection to prevent these ‘revenge’ cycles from displacing more thousands.

    Source: Chosun — https://www.chosun.com/english/world-en/2025/12/27/PNB7UGLHP5AQVEOKNB6ZTUFITE/
    Chosun January 3, 2026

    Photo Credit: Chosun