Why US Airstrike Targeted Sokoto

Why US Airstrike Targeted Sokoto – Defence Minister
Nigeria, US now focusing on intelligence and satellite cooperation
Lakurawa described as potent threat similar to Boko Haram

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), has said the United States military airstrike carried out in Sokoto was aimed at stopping the growing threat posed by the Lakurawa group.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that speaking on Arise Television on Thursday, Musa explained that the action was taken to prevent the group from developing into a full scale insurgency.

He said security agencies are already engaged with long standing threats across the country, but stressed that emerging groups must be confronted early before they become deeply entrenched.

According to the minister, there is no agreement for the United States to carry out further airstrikes in Nigeria. He said both countries are instead focused on intelligence cooperation.

Musa said the partnership centres on access to advanced satellite surveillance that provides real time intelligence to Nigerian forces, allowing for precise military operations. He added that American support would only be sought when threats exceed Nigeria’s operational capacity.

“Lakurawa is a new threat that’s evolving. While we’re working on the major ones. Let’s check out those new ones before they develop, before they become bigger,” Musa said.

He urged Nigerians to remain patient and confident in the security architecture, assuring that stronger measures are being put in place to address emerging threats.

“I want Nigerians to understand that better things are coming away ahead, those big ones, big things are coming that way. Do you,” he added.

When asked whether the United States would conduct further attacks in Nigeria, Musa said there was no such discussion.

“No, we’re looking at everything holistically. And what we did, mostly from them, is for them to give us, you know, they have this satellite system that will give you real time info as to what’s going on. And then the idea is, whatever it is we see, we will be able to strike. If it is beyond our reach, they will assist us,” he said.

Musa warned against underestimating the Lakurawa group, describing it as highly dangerous.

“The mistake people make is that people think Lakurawa is a small group. It’s not small. They are as potent as Boko Haram, and their spread is getting fast.

“So the idea was to stop them from spreading, yeah, so that it doesn’t spread the place,” he said.