The Nigerian military is keeping an eye on Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province fighters who are running away from their hiding places after recent U.S airstrike.
On Christmas Day, U.S. President Donald Trump said that American forces carried out deadly attacks on Islamic State targets in the northwest part of Nigeria. The Nigerian government confirmed this operation, saying it was part of their ongoing efforts to fight terrorism together with the United States. After the attacks, there were reports that some armed groups were moving into new areas.
Daniel Abomtse, the head of the Traditional Council in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State, shared his worries with Sunday PUNCH. He mentioned that there had been an increase in armed herders entering certain communities after the attack.Community leaders in Tangaza, Gudu and parts of Illela in Sokoto State also said they had noticed more movement by these armed groups.Some people, who asked to remain anonymous, said they had seen suspected bandits moving in smaller groups toward remote forest areas, while others were believed to be trying to cross into nearby border communities.
However, senior military officials, speaking to The Punch on Monday, said the military was tracking the movement of these terrorist groups. One official said, “We know they are running away. We have information on that and we are working on it. They are being monitored and their movements are being tracked.” Another official said that intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations were ongoing to keep a close watch on the situation.The official said, “Is it possible for us not to know they are fleeing? We have the information and we are conducting ISR to track them.”
Meanwhile, retired senior military officers have shared different opinions about the possible use of U.S. troops in Nigeria. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, recently said that the Ministry of Defence would give the government advice on possible next steps when asked by CNN if Nigeria might consider allowing U.S. soldiers into the country. Brigadier-General Peter Aro (retd.) said he does not support the deployment of U.S. soldiers on Nigerian soil, warning that this move could lead to serious legal, diplomatic, and social problems.
He said foreign troops can only be sent if there is a formal defence pact approved by the highest levels of government, and even then, the consequences could be very big.Aro said that Nigeria’s fragile internal unity could be further harmed by the presence of foreign military personnel.
He said,
I strongly do not support the deployment of U.S. soldiers on Nigerian soil. This is a serious matter that must be approached with utmost caution. From a legal and diplomatic standpoint, foreign boots on the ground can only follow a formal Defence Pact approved at the highest levels of government, and even then, the consequences would be profound.”At a time when our country is already struggling with fragile national cohesion, the presence of foreign troops could deepen internal mistrust, fuel insurgent propaganda, and worsen existing regional and religious tensions. Notably, even some northern elites and intellectuals, judging by reactions on social media, are uncomfortable with this intervention, and that discomfort speaks volumes.”
Aro argued that more U.S. involvement did not require sending American troops to Nigeria, saying the country already had enough local forces, including the military, police, and civil defense units.He said the main gaps in counter-insurgency operations were in air power, surveillance, and the ability to make precise strikes, areas in which the U.S. could help without replacing local troops.He added that keeping Nigerian control over land operations was important for maintaining legitimacy and long-term stability.
However, another retired officer, Brigadier General Bashir Adewinbi (retd.), supported closer security cooperation with the U.S., saying that working with other countries was a normal practice.He said that the National Security Adviser’s recent visit to the U.S. was part of ongoing cooperation and linked the Christmas Day strike to a joint Nigeria-U.S. operation. Adewinbi said that if deploying U.S. soldiers was necessary to improve security, he would support it as long as it followed proper diplomatic procedures and had clear terms of engagement.
He said,
You can remember NSA went to America because of this. The strike conducted on Christmas Day is a joint Nigeria-USA exercise. Whatever it is, they are effective, efficient, and they have achieved a lot within a short period of time.”On deployment of U.S. soldiers to Nigeria, if it is a way to solve our problem, if there is need, it is collaboration.”It happens between countries and international communities. Yes, collaboration is the answer to the problem of the world today.”
He also pointed out that such cooperation would not weaken the morale of Nigerian troops, saying international partnerships were meant to achieve results.He said Nigeria should be open to working with any country if it would help address insecurity. He said, “There is nothing wrong in collaboration. If they come, they must have stated the terms and conditions and what they are coming to do. It cannot dampen morale.”
Also commenting, Major General Dayo Olukoju (retd.) said, “When we move forward, we will tell you whether the move is right or not. At this instance, strategic mistakes cannot be made.”
A former spokesman for the Nigerian Air Force, Group Captain Sadique Shehu (retd.), criticized the idea of sending U.S. soldiers to Nigeria to help in the ongoing fight against terrorism. Shehu said it was disappointing that such an idea was being considered, noting that as a former military officer, he found the development worrying. He said Nigeria could ask for help and technology from foreign partners, but should not rely on foreign soldiers to fight on its soil.