A retired Nigerian military officer and Kano State chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Captain Abdullahi Bakoji, has described reported United States military efforts aimed at weakening insurgents as understandable, but cautioned that such actions could prove counterproductive if not properly coordinated with Nigerian authorities.
Bakoji acknowledged that foreign military support is often driven by the objective of degrading the capacity of armed groups threatening regional stability. However, he warned that poorly aligned operations could expose civilians to danger and further complicate Nigeria’s already fragile security environment.
According to him, any external intervention carried out without full cooperation with local security agencies risks triggering unintended consequences, including the displacement of violence into new communities and the erosion of trust between citizens and the state.
“The intention to weaken insurgents may be understandable, but such operations carry serious risks if they are not fully coordinated with Nigerian security forces,” Bakoji said. “Uncoordinated actions can endanger civilians, undermine local governance and even push insurgents into other areas.”
He stressed that for international military support to yield meaningful results, the Nigerian government must insist on close collaboration with its partners, with the protection of civilians placed firmly at the centre of all engagements.
While conceding that foreign assistance may offer short-term relief, the retired officer argued that sustainable peace would not be achieved through external firepower alone. Instead, he said Nigeria must prioritise the strengthening of its own security architecture, effective governance and sustained engagement with local communities.
In his view, long-term stability will depend more on building resilient institutions and winning public confidence than on isolated foreign military actions, however well-intentioned.
