Former senator Shehu Sani has described the reported military airstrikes on terrorist hideouts in North West Nigeria as a “conscionable action,” while cautioning that Nigeria cannot depend on foreign powers to secure lasting peace.
Sani made the remarks on Friday via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, reacting to comments by United States President Donald Trump, who claimed that U.S. forces had carried out deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists operating in Northwestern Nigeria.
In his post on Truth Social, Trump said the strikes targeted terrorists he accused of killing innocent civilians. U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also confirmed the operation in a separate post, noting that it was carried out with the cooperation of the Nigerian government.
Responding, Sani said if the strikes were indeed a joint operation involving Nigerian authorities, as indicated by the U.S. Africa Command, then the action was justified. He described terrorist groups operating in parts of the country as a serious threat to national stability, likening them to “cancerous cells” that survive on violence.
The former lawmaker also dismissed claims that terrorist attacks in Nigeria are directed at only one religious group, insisting that such narratives are false and misleading. According to him, terrorism in the country cuts across religious and ethnic lines, with communities of all backgrounds suffering the consequences.
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However, Sani warned against over-reliance on foreign military intervention, stressing that Nigeria must ultimately take responsibility for its own security. While acknowledging that international partners can offer support, he said they cannot fight Nigeria’s battles indefinitely.
His comments come amid ongoing debates over recent airstrikes in the North West, which Nigerian authorities say were carried out as part of structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States. Defence officials have maintained that the operations reflect the Federal Government’s resolve to confront transnational terrorism and prevent foreign fighters from establishing a foothold in the country.
