An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Kogi State, Chief Ben Adaji, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take a tougher position against individuals and groups publicly criticising recent United States airstrikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria.
Adaji made the call on Saturday in Jalingo, Taraba State, while reacting to condemnations by some Islamic clerics and commentators following the reported US military operation against terrorist enclaves in parts of north-west Nigeria.
According to him, opposition to the airstrikes undermines national efforts to combat terrorism and could amount to indirect sympathy for armed groups responsible for years of violence across the country.
“Nigerians have endured immense suffering due to the activities of terrorists,” Adaji said. “The loss of lives, destruction of property and damage to Nigeria’s international image have been enormous and cannot be quantified.”
The APC chieftain, who previously contested for the House of Representatives seat for Ankpa Federal Constituency, said he was alarmed that any Nigerian would openly criticise an operation he described as a decisive step against terrorism.
“It is difficult to understand why anyone would sympathise with groups that have killed innocent citizens for years, except there is some form of complicity,” he said, adding that he listened with “deep concern” to clerics who publicly condemned the US action.
Adaji called on President Tinubu to take a firm stance against what he described as attempts to politicise insecurity, arguing that critics of the airstrikes may be sponsors or beneficiaries of terrorist activities. He also urged the Federal Government to end negotiations with armed groups and instead adopt what he termed a more decisive military approach.
In addition, he appealed to the United States to sustain its counterterrorism support and expand military assistance to other regions affected by insecurity, including areas plagued by banditry and attacks by armed groups.
“This is the time to bring an end to the violence that has held the country hostage,” Adaji said, expressing confidence that sustained international cooperation could significantly weaken terrorist networks operating in Nigeria.
Describing himself as a security and counterterrorism expert, Adaji further called on the President and the National Security Adviser to ensure that individuals identified as supporters or collaborators of terrorist groups are investigated and prosecuted in line with the law.
“Insecurity has affected Nigerians across religious and ethnic lines,” he said.
“No one should hide under religion or political influence to undermine national security. Both Christians and Muslims have suffered from these attacks.”
While commending Nigerian security agencies for their efforts, Adaji urged the Federal Government to provide them with full backing and to cooperate with what he described as genuine international interventions aimed at restoring peace and safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty.