‘Allow Tinubu to pursue collaborative strategies to tackle insecurity’

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Ambassador-designate, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, has appealed to Nigerians to allow President Bola Tinubu to pursue collaborative and cooperative strategies to tackle insecurity in the country.

Ibrahim said this in reaction to criticisms that have trailed the strike by US forces against ISIS target in Northwest Nigeria Christmas Day in a statement at the weekend.

Many critics had accused President Tinubu of surrendering Nigeria’s security to the U.S by allowing the strike on the country’s territory.

But while faulting the claim, Ibrahim argued that that no nation in the world enjoys absolute sovereignty as there is always international cooperation in times of crisis.

Such cooperation, Ibrahim said, is liberal democratic way of setting new order for peace in a geocentric system and does not amount to a compromise of national sovereignty.

Ibrahim, who has a doctorate in Modern War Studies, cited September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States.

He noted that the U.S also use military and strategic assistance from several allied nations to combat the insecurity caused by the attacks.

The Senator noted that many countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia and New Zealand contributed troops, aircraft, naval assets and other military support under Operation Enduring Freedom to help the United States combat terrorism in the aftermath of the attack

He further argued that the concept of absolute sovereignty was unrealistic.

Ibrahim said if absolute sovereignty were possible, then countries like the United States would be able to completely control emails or even prevent COVID-19 from entering their borders.

Recall that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris had on Friday confirmed that the precision strike operations against two major Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves in North West Nigeria was approved by President Bola Tinubu.

Idris said the operation that targeted terrorist within the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area, Sokoto State was in close coordination with the Government of the United States of America,

This is contained in a statement issued by Idris in Abuja on Friday.

“Intelligence confirmed that these locations were being used as assembly and staging grounds by foreign ISIS elements infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel region, in collaboration with local affiliates, to plan and execute large-scale terrorist attacks within Nigerian territory.

“The precision strike operations were executed between 00:12 hours and 01:30 hours on Friday, December 26, 2025, following explicit approval by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu,

“The operation was carried out under established command and control structures, with the full involvement of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and under the supervision of Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff.

“The strikes were launched from maritime platforms domiciled in the Gulf of Guinea, after extensive intelligence gathering, operational planning, and reconnaissance.

“A total of 16 GPS-guided precision munitions were deployed using MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial platforms, successfully neutralising the targeted ISIS elements attempting to penetrate Nigeria from the Sahel corridor,” Idris said.

According to him, in the course of the operation, debris from expended munitions fell in Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and in Offa, Kwara State, near the premises of a hotel.

He added that no civilian casualties were recorded in both locations, and relevant authorities promptly secured the affected areas.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria reiterates its unwavering resolve to confront, degrade, and eliminate terrorist threats, particularly those posed by transnational extremist networks seeking to undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and security.

“Nigeria remains fully aligned with its strategic partners and Friends of Nigeria in executing coordinated actions aimed at ensuring lasting peace, border security, and regional stability.

“The Federal Government assures all Nigerians that it remains firmly in control of the national security architecture and is fully committed to the protection of lives and property.

“Citizens are urged to remain calm and vigilant as decisive actions continue against all terrorist groups threatening the nation,” Idris added.