The Democratic Front has described the military collaboration between the U.S. and Nigerian authorities, leading to air strikes against terrorists in Sokoto.

‎In a statement on Saturday in Abuja by its chairman, Danjuma Muhammad, and secretary, Wale Adedayo, TDF noted that President Bola Tinubu gave his go-ahead before the coordinated military strikes were carried out.

‎”We see the airstrikes as a commendable outcome of the ongoing Nigeria/United States collaboration on security and intelligence sharing in the country.

‎”It feels great to note that contrary to the initial misunderstanding of insecurity in Nigeria by the US President, Donald Trump, both countries resolved to collaborate as part of efforts to eliminate terrorists and strengthen regional security in the West-African sub-region.

‎”For us, it is a demonstration of the beauty of international collaboration, especially as the coordinated airstrikes were authorised by the president after weeks of joint intelligence and surveillance operations by American and Nigerian forces,” said the group.

It added, ‎”We are aware that the strikes were launched by the Americans on the orders of President Trump, but the Nigerian authorities, led by President Tinubu, still had to give the go-ahead, with a view to ensuring that the civilian population was not affected.

‎”Although details are still emerging on the impact of the airstrikes, it was reassuring that the Defence Headquarters had emphasised that the strikes were designed to weaken terrorist networks while minimising civilian casualties.”

‎It noted that foreign affairs minister Yussuf Tuggar had stated within hours of the strikes that he was in touch with the U.S. secretary of state, Marco Rubio, for several minutes before the strike, during which they both agreed to seek Mr Tinubu’s approval for the air strikes.

‎”We also note that the U.S. secretary of war, Pete Hegseth, was emphatic in a post on X that the air strikes were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities and subsequently expressed gratitude for their support and cooperation.

‎”All of these show that the strikes were indeed conducted at the behest of the Nigerian government. So the question of violation of the country’s territorial integrity does not arise,” said TDF.

(NAN)