Sokoto Insecurity: Trump Took Our Country By Surprise , And To Save Themselves From Shame , They'd To Key In- Dantata

Security expert Salihu Dantata has suggested that Nigeria may have been caught off guard by the recent United States airstrike on an ISIS terrorist hideout in Sokoto State, ordered by US President Donald Trump.Speaking during an interview from 19:31 on Arise News, Dantata raised concerns about the coordination and communication surrounding the operation, particularly the Nigerian government’s response after the strike became public. According to him, the sequence of events created the impression that Nigerian authorities were reacting after the fact rather than acting in full partnership with the United States“There is that possibility that President Trump just took our country by surprise and in order to save themselves from shame, they just had to key in by making the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to say, yes, we are aware,” Dantata said.The security analyst explained that in counterterrorism operations, especially those involving foreign military action on sovereign territory, prior coordination is critical. He noted that when such coordination is unclear, it fuels speculation and public distrust, particularly among citizens who are already sensitive to issues of sovereignty and foreign intervention.Dantata observed that the airstrike itself underscores the seriousness of the ISIS threat in Nigeria, especially in the North-West, where terrorist and bandit groups have increasingly overlapped. However, he emphasized that how the operation was communicated mattered just as much as the military success it may have achieved.He added that the government’s post-strike statements appeared defensive, suggesting an attempt to manage public perception rather than provide clear, detailed information. According to Dantata, this approach risks weakening public confidence in national security institutionsThe security expert called on Nigerian authorities to adopt a more transparent and proactive communication strategy on security matters. He argued that Nigerians deserve clarity on whether such operations are jointly planned, intelligence-led collaborations or unilateral actions by foreign partners.