Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has warned that while foreign military support can be helpful, Nigeria must ultimately take responsibility for securing its own territory, stressing that the United States cannot “eternally fight our battles.”
Sani made the remarks in response to reports of recent US military strikes against ISIS terrorist targets in North-Western Nigeria, which the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) described as a joint operation coordinated with Nigerian authorities.
In a post on his verified X handle, Sani said that if the strikes were truly conducted jointly with Nigerian authorities, they were justified given the growing terrorist threat in the region.
“If actually the military strikes against terrorist targets in the North-West were a joint operation with the Nigerian authorities, then it is a conscionable action,” Sani said. “Terrorists have become cancerous cells in our part of the country. They live by the sword.”
However, he cautioned against over-reliance on foreign powers, stressing that lasting peace and security must be driven from within.
Sani also challenged claims that terrorist violence in Nigeria targets only one religious group, calling such narratives false and misleading.
“The narrative that the evil terrorists only target one faith remains absolutely false and misleading,” he stated.
Emphasising national responsibility, the former senator reiterated that while the US and other partners may provide support or conduct unilateral strikes, Nigeria cannot relinquish its primary duty of self-defence.
“The ultimate security and peace in our country lies with ourselves and not with the US or any foreign power. They can complementarily or unilaterally strike, but they can’t eternally fight our battles,” Sani said.
