Former Sokoto State Governor and current Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has called for calm among residents following reports of a United States military airstrike conducted in the state as part of counterterrorism operations in collaboration with Nigeria’s Federal Government.
The appeal comes amid heightened public anxiety over the circumstances surrounding the reported military action, which has raised questions about civilian safety and the scope of international security cooperation in Nigeria’s troubled northwest region.
Tambuwal addressed the concerns through a statement published on his verified social media platform, acknowledging the widespread reports about the airstrike whilst emphasising the need for residents to remain peaceful as authorities work to clarify details of the operation.
“I have noted the reports concerning an airstrike carried out as part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts through cooperation between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the United States,” the senator stated, according to reports carried by Vanguard News. “I urge our communities to remain calm and law-abiding as relevant authorities clarify the circumstances surrounding the operation.”
The lawmaker assured his constituents that he is actively engaging with security authorities to obtain comprehensive information about the military action and to verify that appropriate protocols were followed during the operation.
Sokoto State, located in Nigeria’s northwest region, has experienced persistent security challenges linked to banditry, kidnapping, and terrorist activities in recent years. The state shares borders with Niger Republic and has become a flashpoint for criminal gangs who exploit porous borders and vast, ungoverned spaces to launch attacks on communities.
According to data from various security reports, Nigeria’s northwest and northcentral regions have witnessed escalating violence, with armed groups conducting raids on villages, disrupting agricultural activities, and displacing thousands of residents. The Federal Government has deployed military personnel and collaborated with international partners to combat these threats.
Tambuwal emphasised that counterterrorism operations are specifically designed to target criminal elements and terrorist groups that pose threats to public safety, not innocent civilians who often bear the brunt of insecurity in affected areas.
“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,” he said, as reported by Vanguard News. The senator added that the protection of civilian lives remains a paramount concern in all legitimate security engagements.
The United States has maintained security cooperation with Nigeria for several years, providing intelligence support, training, and occasionally conducting joint operations against terrorist organisations operating in the region. This partnership has intensified as Nigeria grapples with multiple security threats, including Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast, banditry in the northwest, and separatist agitations in the southeast.
In his statement, Tambuwal commended Nigerian military personnel and security agencies for their dedication and professionalism, noting that they operate under extremely challenging conditions, often in collaboration with international partners.
“Their sacrifice and commitment to restoring peace and stability deserve our full support and cooperation,” the senator said, according to the published report.
The former governor called on community leaders, traditional institutions, and ordinary residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible intelligence whilst avoiding the spread of unverified information that could heighten tensions or create unnecessary panic.
He stressed that unity, vigilance, and public support for lawful security measures are crucial elements in the fight against terrorism and banditry across Sokoto State and Nigeria as a whole.
“Together, through unity, vigilance, and support for lawful security efforts, we will overcome the forces of terror and secure lasting peace for Sokoto State and Nigeria at large,” Tambuwal stated.
