Nigerian villagers deny Daesh presence after US airstrike debris lands nearby

Residents of a farming village in northwestern Nigeria have expressed confusion and fear after debris from a recent US airstrike landed near their community, with locals firmly denying the presence of Daesh (ISIS) terrorists in the area. Villagers in Jabo, located in Sokoto state's Tambuwal district, reported a loud blast and flames overhead around 10 p.m. on Thursday, followed by a projectile crashing into nearby fields, causing panic and forcing people to flee their homes.

Local Testimonies of Peace and Panic

"We couldn't sleep last night. We've never seen anything like this before," said local resident Suleiman Kagara in an interview with CNN. He emphasized the village's history of peaceful coexistence, stating, "In Jabo, we see Christians as our brothers. We don't have religious conflicts, so we weren't expecting this." Bashar Isah Jabo, the state lawmaker representing the area, corroborated this, describing Jabo as a "peaceful community" with "no known history of ISIS, Lakurawa, or any other terrorist groups." He noted the debris landed about 500 meters from the village's only primary health center, causing alarm but no casualties.

Official Accounts of the Strike

The incident followed President Donald Trump's announcement of a "powerful and deadly" US strike against Daesh targets in the region, with US Africa Command stating the operation "neutralized multiple ISIS fighters." Nigeria's Information Ministry later confirmed that "precision strike operations" were conducted in coordination with the US, targeting Daesh hideouts in forests in Sokoto's Tangaza district. The ministry acknowledged debris from expended munitions fell in Jabo and another area in Kwara state but stressed no civilians were harmed. Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar stated President Bola Tinubu approved the operation, which was aimed at protecting civilians, not targeting any religious group.

Questions of Intelligence and Civilian Impact

The stark contrast between local accounts and official statements raises questions about the intelligence underpinning the strike and the potential for collateral fear and disruption in communities uninvolved with militancy. While the Nigerian government frames the action as part of a necessary counter-terrorism partnership, the experience of the Jabo villagers highlights the on-the-ground complexities and human impact of such operations. Türkiye, which has extensive experience in counter-terrorism, consistently emphasizes the paramount importance of accurate intelligence, proportionality, and the protection of civilian lives in all such military actions to maintain legitimacy and avoid exacerbating local tensions.