Security and human rights stakeholders have faulted the Federal Government for failing to disclose the number of civilians and terrorists killed during a United States missile strike in Sokoto State nearly a month after the operation.
The criticism was voiced during a virtual policy dialogue organized by The Africa Disruptions Lab (TADLab) and the Conflict Research Network West Africa (CORN West Africa).
Chidi Odinkalu, former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), highlighted the absence of official information regarding the strike’s exact location, targets, or verified casualty figures. He referenced a report suggesting up to 200 unarmed civilians may have been killed.
Odinkalu also noted that debris from the strike was found across Kebbi, Sokoto, and Niger States, yet none of the affected state governors have publicly addressed the incident.
“The silence around this strike — from state governors, state assemblies, federal lawmakers, and even citizens — creates the conditions for impunity,” he stated.
He further criticized President Bola Tinubu for not speaking publicly on the matter, urging the government to release a public damage assessment to uphold accountability and civilian protection.
Mojubaolu Okome, Professor of Political Science at Brooklyn College and Chairperson of TADLab, noted that institutions responsible for safeguarding Nigerians have remained silent. She pointed out that there has been no transparent hearing or investigation by U.S. authorities, raising concerns about Nigeria’s security coordination and oversight.
“There are inconsistencies in official narratives, and no damage assessment has been made public,” Okome said.
It would be recalled that on December 25, 2025, the U.S. launched missile strikes targeting Islamic State militant camps in Sokoto, in coordination with the Nigerian government. Defense Minister Christopher Musa had stated that the operation severely impacted a terrorist hideout, forcing fighters to flee toward Niger Republic.
Participants at the dialogue expressed concern over the limited media coverage and muted public response, warning that the government’s silence risks normalizing impunity in matters involving civilian harm and national sovereignty.
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