Following the contentious US airstrike that targeted a suspected ISIS hideout in Sokoto State, a prominent lawyer has publicly questioned the role of Nigeria's foremost traditional Islamic leader, asking why the threat was not detected and addressed from within.
In a pointed critique on Voice of the People TV, Barrister Eze Eluchie directed scrutiny at the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III. Eluchie challenged the perception of traditional rulers as defenders of their domains, arguing that the discovery of a terrorist cell in the Sultan's own territory raises serious questions.
A Direct Challenge to Traditional Authority
"This same Sultan has come out blazing and making so much noise, now the terrorists are in his domain and he has not done much," Eluchie stated, highlighting a perceived gap between the Sultan's outspokenness on national political issues and his stance on a critical security failure at his doorstep.
Eluchie's argument hinges on the premise that such a sophisticated militant group cannot operate in isolation. He insists that establishing a functional base requires a network of local support, resources, and at least some level of community awareness. "These groups cannot survive in any community without someone noticing," he asserted, calling for a transparent government investigation into how the local leadership structure failed to identify or report the threat.
Public Sentiment: Relief Tempered with Deep Concern
The commentary taps into a complex mix of local sentiment. While many Sokoto residents express relief that a foreign military power intervened to remove a dangerous cell, this relief is overshadowed by profound unease. The primary concern is not the airstrike itself, but the alarming fact that a terrorist organization was able to establish a significant presence so close to home, seemingly undetected by the traditional and formal security apparatus meant to protect the area.
Barrister Eluchie's remarks intensify the growing debate over accountability following the US military action. His questions shift the focus from the international controversy of the airstrike to a domestic issue of governance and security vigilance, demanding answers not just from the federal government in Abuja, but from the traditional power structures closest to the scene of the incident.
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