Former Governor of Sokoto State and Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has urged residents to remain calm following reports of an airstrike linked to ongoing counterterrorism operations, assuring the public that such actions are targeted strictly at criminal and terrorist elements.
In a statement on Friday, Tambuwal noted that it was important to reassure citizens that counterterrorism efforts are not directed at innocent civilians, who he described as victims of insecurity rather than targets of security operations.
“It is important to reassure the public that counterterrorism operations are targeted at criminal and terrorist elements who threaten our collective safety, and not at innocent civilians who are themselves victims of insecurity,” he said, stressing that the protection of civilian lives remains paramount.
The former governor said he had taken note of reports concerning an airstrike reportedly carried out as part of counterterrorism cooperation between the federal government of Nigeria and the United States. He called on communities to remain law-abiding while relevant authorities clarify the circumstances surrounding the operation.
Tambuwal disclosed that he is in active discussions with security agencies to obtain full details of the incident and to ensure that all necessary safeguards are upheld, particularly for residents of Sokoto South.
He also commended the military and security forces for what he described as their courage and professionalism in confronting terrorism and banditry under difficult conditions, often in collaboration with international partners.
Tambuwal further appealed to community leaders, traditional institutions, and residents to work closely with security agencies by sharing credible information and resisting misinformation capable of heightening fear or tension.
President Donald Trump has said the US launched a “powerful and deadly strike” against the Islamic State (IS) group in north-western Nigeria. The US leader described IS as “terrorist scum,” accusing the group of “targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians.”
In its reaction, the Nigerian government described the operation as the outcome of coordinated security cooperation and intelligence collaboration with international partners. Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar confirmed that President Bola Tinubu authorised US airstrikes against terrorists operating in the country’s north-western region.
