Terrorism: Ex-governor speaks on Nigeria-US intervention, insists airstrikes not religious war

*Sen. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, ex-Governor of Sokoto State and Senator representing Sokoto South Senatorial District, relates his personal experience with the Lakurawa terrorist group, cautioning Nigerians against misinterpreting the US airstrikes as a religious war against the West African country

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Sen. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, erstwhile Governor of Sokoto State and Senator representing Sokoto South Senatorial District, has insisted that the recent Nigeria-United States (US) military intervention in tackling terrorism in Sokoto State must not be misinterpreted as a religious war against the North.

Tambuwal, who stated this last Friday while speaking in an interview on ARISE News, clarified the US airstrikes in collaboration with Nigerian Military personnel in Sokoto were targeted at the Lakurawa terrorist group in their enclave.

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The former Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, therefore, urged Nigerians, and his constituents in particular to remain calm.

He reiterated that the Nigeria-US military airstrikes must not be misinterpreted as a religious war against the country.

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Tambuwal further said that information available to him from top security authorities indicated that the airstrikes targeted the Lakurawa terrorists’ enclave in especially Tangeza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

In regard to his leadership experience with the terror group while he was the Governor of Sokoto State, he explained: “The target was an enclave in the Tangeza local government of Sokoto State.

“I recollect that while serving as Governor of Sokoto State, we had issues of Lakurawa in the same sub-area of Sokoto, particularly Tangeza, Gudu and some extent, Binji Local Governments of Sokoto State.

Tambuwal disclosed that his administration conducted joint operations with the Department of State Services (DSS), Army, and other security forces, and they were “very effective” against Lakurawa, and they pushed back at the time.

He averred: “Not much was heard from them until recently.”

Terrorism is a threat to all Nigerians, says Tambuwal

Cautioning Nigerians against politicising or giving religious interpretation to the operation, Senator Tambuwal insisted that terrorism poses a threat to all Nigerians, irrespective of region or belief.

He said asserted: “This is not a religious war; it is not an ethnic war.

“It is about securing the lives and property of Nigerians.

“Terrorists are nobody’s friends, and we must avoid narratives that divide us.”

The former Governor added: “I did call for greater collaboration and support for the government of Nigeria and governments at all levels some six days back, and only last night, we woke up to hear of these strikes.

He said: “I have issued a statement calling for calm and support for the security agencies as we all face these challenges.

“I have been very clear in my earlier statements that terrorists are nobody’s friends and we must avoid giving them any political or religious connotations.

“The narratives should be about securing the lives and properties of Nigerians.”

Tambuwal Friday as well appealed to residents of his senatorial district, in Sokoto State, to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies in the ongoing efforts to rid the country of terrorists.

He equally assured innocent citizens of adequate protection. Tambuwal, in a post shared via his verified X handle Friday, stated: “I have noted the reports of the airstrike carried out as part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts between Nigeria and the United States.

“I urge our communities to remain calm and law-abiding as authorities clarify the circumstances of the operation.”

The Federal lawmaker added: “I wish to assure the people of Sokoto South that I am in active discussions with relevant security authorities to obtain full details and ensure that all necessary safeguards are upheld. “

Responding to a question on if the US intervention in collaboration with Nigerian security forces would achieve the set objective of flushing out terrorists and restoring peace in the region.

“I will take that with some mixed reactions.

“If we go by the history of such operations carried out by the US in some parts of the world, I am very concerned, and we must be circumspect,” said he.

Tambuwal said: “If their history is anything to go by, it has not been able to effectively achieve much in some of the areas where they carried out such collaborative efforts.

“However, it is important that we understand that this is not a religious war, this is not an ethnic war. It is about securing our country.”

The Federal legislator stated: “So, help may come from unexpected quarters.

“But what we need to do is to ensure that no hidden agenda is pursued in this fight against terrorism.”

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