Former senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has reacted to reports of United States military airstrikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North-West region, saying that while foreign support may help, Nigeria cannot depend on external powers to solve its security challenges.
Sani made the remarks on Friday through his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle. He was responding to a post by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), which stated that the reported airstrikes were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities.
His comments come amid growing national debate over the confirmation by the Federal Government that US forces carried out precision airstrikes on terrorist locations in the North West as part of security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
According to Sani, if the strikes were indeed a joint operation with Nigerian security agencies, then such action was acceptable, considering the serious threat posed by terrorists operating in the region.
“If actually, the military strikes against the terrorists’ targets in the North Western part of Nigeria were a joint operation with the Nigerian authorities, as posted by the US AFRICOM on their verified X handle, then it’s a conscionable action,” Sani said.
The North West has become one of Nigeria’s most troubled regions in recent years. States such as Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, and parts of Kebbi have witnessed frequent attacks by armed groups. These attacks include mass kidnappings, killings of villagers, attacks on schools, and raids on highways.
While many of these groups are often described as bandits, security agencies have warned that some now have links to terrorist organisations, including the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). This has raised fears that the insecurity could grow into a more organised and dangerous form of terrorism.
Shehu Sani described these groups as a serious danger to society, saying they survive through violence and fear.
“Terrorists have become cancerous cells in our part of the country,” he said. “They live by the sword.”
His use of strong language reflects the frustration of many Nigerians who have lived under the threat of violence for years, especially in rural communities where security presence is weak.
Sani made it clear that his support for the reported airstrikes was based on the understanding that Nigerian authorities were involved. He stressed that any foreign military action on Nigerian soil must be done with the full knowledge and consent of the government.
Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the US airstrikes were part of structured security cooperation, including intelligence sharing and strategic coordination. The government said the strikes were aimed at protecting civilians, national unity, and the rights of all Nigerians, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
AFRICOM also posted that the operation was carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities, adding weight to claims that the action was not unilateral.
One key point raised by Sani was his rejection of claims that terrorist attacks in Nigeria target only one religious group. He described such narratives as false and misleading.
“The narrative that the evil terrorists only target one faith remains absolutely false and misleading,” he said.
Nigeria is a deeply religious country, with large Muslim and Christian populations. Over the years, insecurity has sometimes been framed along religious lines, especially when attacks affect churches or mosques.
In the North West, entire villages, mostly Muslim, have been attacked by armed groups. In other regions, Christian communities have also suffered. Analysts say the violence is driven by a mix of factors, including criminality, poverty, weak governance, and access to illegal weapons.
While acknowledging that foreign military action can help weaken terrorist groups, Sani warned that Nigeria must not rely too heavily on outside powers.
“Again, the ultimate security and peace in our country lies with ourselves and not with the US or any foreign power,” he said.
“They can complementarily or unilaterally strike, but they can’t eternally fight our battles.”
This statement highlights a common concern among Nigerians that dependence on foreign military support could weaken local capacity and decision-making.
Nigeria has one of the largest armed forces in Africa and spends billions of naira each year on defence. Many citizens believe that with better planning, leadership, and accountability, the country should be able to handle its internal security challenges.
Nigeria and the United States have a long history of security cooperation. The partnership includes training of Nigerian troops, intelligence sharing, and supply of military equipment.
The US has also supported Nigeria in its fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North East. However, direct US airstrikes inside Nigeria are rare and often raise public concern.
The recent confirmation of US strikes in the North West has revived discussions about sovereignty, transparency, and the best way to tackle insecurity.
Some Nigerians welcome the support, saying the situation has become too severe to handle alone. Others fear that foreign military involvement could create new risks or make Nigeria a target for international extremist groups.