US Airstrikes Force Boko Haram, ISWAP Militants to Flee – Military in Pursuit

Following recent US bombings, the Nigerian military is keeping an eye on Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists who may be escaping their hiding places.

On Christmas Day, US President Donald Trump reportedly declared that American soldiers had carried out deadly attacks against Islamic State sites in northwest Nigeria.

Nigeria and the United States continue to work together to combat terrorism, according to the Federal Government, which verified the operation.

Following the airstrikes, there were indications of armed groups moving more often into nearby areas.

Soon after the attack, Daniel Abomtse, the Chairman of the Traditional Council in Benue State’s Gwer West Local Government Area, expressed worry over what he called an invasion of armed herders into some towns.

In an interview with Punch, community elders from Tangaza, Gudu, and portions of Illela in Sokoto State also mentioned that suspected fighters were clearly moving and dislocating.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, several locals reported seeing suspected bandits traveling in smaller groups toward isolated forest passages, while others were thought to be trying to enter nearby border settlements.

According to senior military officials who spoke with Punch on Monday, the military is monitoring the fugitive militants’ whereabouts.

“We know they’re running away. We are working on that and have information about it. They’re being watched and their whereabouts are being tracked,” an official stated.

“Is it possible for us not to know they are fleeing?” asked another military source, highlighting ongoing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) efforts. We have the data, and we are tracking them using ISR.

Divergent opinions have been expressed by retired senior military officials over the potential deployment of troops to Nigeria.

Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, recently responded to a CNN question on whether Nigeria may think about permitting US forces to enter the country by saying that the Ministry of Defense will advise the government on potential next measures.

Brigadier-General Peter Aro (retd.), a former senior commander, stated that he opposes the deployment of US military on Nigerian territory and cautioned that doing so might have major legal, diplomatic, and social repercussions.

He warned that there would be “profound” repercussions and stated that foreign forces should only be used in accordance with a written defense agreement authorized at the highest level of government.

He claimed that the presence of foreign military personnel in Nigeria might exacerbate the already precarious internal unity of the nation.

“I strongly do not support the deployment of US soldiers on Nigerian soil,” he declared. This is a significant issue that requires extreme vigilance. From a legal and diplomatic perspective, foreign troops on the ground can only implement a formal Defense Pact that has been approved at the highest levels of government, and even then, there would be serious repercussions.

“The deployment of foreign troops could intensify already-existing regional and religious sensitivities, fuel insurgent propaganda, and increase internal suspicion at a time when our country is already struggling with fragile national cohesiveness. Notably, social media responses indicate that some northern intellectuals and elites are unhappy with this intervention, and their uneasiness speaks loudly.

Nigeria already had enough ground forces, including the armed forces, police mobile units, and civil defense workers, according to Aro, who contended that expanded US engagement did not necessitate American military commitment.

According to him, the US could assist Nigeria without having to replace local troops on the ground in the areas of air power, surveillance, and precision strike capacity, which are the gaps in counterinsurgency operations.

For legitimacy and long-term stability, he continued, Nigerian control over land operations must be maintained.

However, Brigadier General Bashir Adewinbi (retd.), another retired commander, advocated for increased security cooperation with the United States, claiming that international cooperation was standard procedure.

He connected the Christmas Day hit to a combined Nigerian-US effort and added that the National Security Adviser’s recent visit to the US was a part of continued cooperation.

According to Adewinbi, he would be in favor of the deployment of US forces if it was deemed necessary to increase security, as long as it adhered to the proper diplomatic procedures and had well-defined rules of engagement.

He stated. As you recall, this was the reason the NSA traveled to America. The Christmas Day strike is a joint Nigerian-American exercise. In any case, they have accomplished a great deal in a brief amount of time and are efficient and effective.

When it comes to the deployment of US soldiers to Nigeria, it is partnership if it is a means of resolving our issues.

It takes place in international communities and between nations. Indeed, cooperation is the solution to today’s global issues.

He went on to clarify that international alliances were meant to achieve results and that such a collaboration would not lower the morale of Nigerian military.

According to him, Nigeria need to be willing to collaborate with any nation if doing so would aid in combating insecurity.

“Collaboration is perfect,” he continued. If they do show up, they have to explain the terms and conditions as well as the purpose of their visit. It can’t lower morale.

Major General Dayo Olukoju (retd.) also spoke, saying, “We will tell you whether the move is right or not when we move forward.”

“Mistakes in strategy are not possible at this time.”

Group Captain Sadique Shehu (retd.), a former spokesman for the Nigerian Air Force, criticized proposals that US soldiers be sent to Nigeria to support the ongoing fight against terrorism.

As a former military officer, Shehu expressed his disappointment at the idea’s consideration and expressed concern about the development.

Nigeria should not rely on foreign soldiers to fight on its territory, he added, but it may go to foreign partners for help and technological support.

“It is very disappointing that some are even thinking of that,” he stated. I feel humiliated to be a male in the military. How did we get to this place? We acknowledge that we lack their technology, but the nation is doomed if you are referring about their armies coming to defend us.

However, he stated that there was little chance that the United States would send a sizable military force to Nigeria, as it had done in Iraq or Afghanistan. He claimed that the deployment of small advising teams, which he claimed has been underway, was more likely.

Shehu also addressed the reported US strikes in Sokoto, stating that it was still unclear if any terrorists had been killed in the operation.

“There is currently no proof that any terrorists have been killed,” he declared. We currently just know that there was an attack, but we don’t know if anyone was killed.

The retired officer went on to say that Nigeria should make sure that Nigerian authorities speak with residents directly instead of depending on pronouncements from foreign countries, and that Nigeria should explicitly specify the parameters of any security support received from foreign partners.

“What agreement did they make?” he asked. I must clarify that the roof I’m requesting you to fix is the roof in my parlour, not the roof in my bedroom.

“So, come see, this is what nations do. Unfortunately, in my perspective, we didn’t do that in Nigeria. When an incident occurs, Trump shouldn’t be speaking to Nigerians. I believe that Nigerians should be speaking to other Nigerians. Washington’s words shouldn’t be our sole focus.

Trump was the first to contact us following this attack. Is that accurate? It’s not supposed to be that way. Yes, we do need their assistance, and we are grateful for it. However, you have to outline the guidelines for how that assistance will be given.