A retired Nigerian military officer, Captain Abdullahi Bakoji, stated that the reported efforts by the United States to weaken insurgents are justifiable, but he cautioned that such actions could lead to significant issues if not properly coordinated with Nigerian authorities.
Bakoji, who also serves as the Kano Chairman of the Miyetti Allah cattle breeders association of Nigeria, told Naijatrial that while the aim of foreign military support may be to diminish the power of armed groups, inadequate coordination could jeopardize civilian safety and exacerbate insecurity in other regions.
Captain Bakoji remarked, “If the United States is attempting to weaken insurgents as reported, then the intention is understandable. However, these operations pose risks if they are not fully coordinated with Nigerian security forces.”
He elaborated that acting without complete local cooperation can lead to unintended outcomes, such as the displacement of violence and a breakdown of trust between communities and the government.
“Uncoordinated actions can put civilians in danger, undermine local governance, or even drive insurgents into different areas.
“For these operations to succeed, the Nigerian government must ensure close collaboration with international partners to protect civilians,” he emphasized.
The retired officer highlighted that while foreign assistance can be beneficial in the short term, Nigeria needs to concentrate on fortifying its own security systems.
He concluded that achieving lasting peace will rely more on effective governance, robust security institutions, and active engagement with local communities than on external military interventions alone.