A retired Major General of the Nigerian Army, John Enenche, has hailed the recent United States airstrikes on ISIS strongholds in northwest Nigeria, describing them as a courageous and positive step.
He expressed confidence that the intervention could represent a turning point in Nigeria’s long-running security crisis.
Enenche, who was the pioneer Director of Defence Information and formerly served as Commandant of the Nigerian Army War College, shared his views during an interview on ARISE TV’s Daybreak programme on Saturday.
His remarks followed the announcement by the United States, two days earlier, that it had carried out precision airstrikes on terrorist hideouts in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
According to the retired general, the action was long overdue, stressing that Nigeria has endured more than two decades of terrorism and banditry, with enormous loss of lives and severe economic damage.
He said he welcomed the development because the country had exhausted several approaches over the years, including diplomacy, dialogue and even negotiations with armed groups, without achieving lasting peace.
Drawing from personal experience, Enenche noted that he had participated in military operations in the affected areas over 20 years ago and had witnessed firsthand the destruction, anger and human suffering caused by insecurity. He emphasised that security goes beyond military considerations, affecting human safety, economic stability and even cyber security, with consequences for everyone.
He commended the United States for openly stepping forward, describing the move as a clear sign of international resolve to help bring the crisis to an end.
Enenche said the public commitment by U.S. President Donald Trump to assist Nigeria signalled the beginning of positive developments for the country.
Responding to critics who fear that U.S. involvement could turn Nigeria into another Syria, Iraq or Afghanistan, he rejected such views, branding them as defeatist and unpatriotic.
He argued that Nigerians should focus on the benefits rather than the risks, adding that similar concerns were not raised when Nigeria deployed troops to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Congo. He maintained that cooperation and unity have always produced results whenever Nigerians worked together.
While acknowledging that the United States had taken the lead in the air operations, Enenche stressed that Nigeria must take full responsibility for securing its territory.
He explained that although foreign forces might not deploy ground troops, Nigeria must handle on-the-ground operations by committing adequate resources, with state and local governments playing supportive roles.
Enenche also dismissed claims questioning the credibility of the intelligence behind the airstrikes, insisting that the accuracy and sophistication of the attacks showed capabilities that Nigeria currently does not possess.
He said the nature of the weapons and the precision involved clearly indicated intelligence-driven operations, noting that terrorist groups typically go to great lengths to conceal their assembly and staging areas.
On the possibility that corruption and poor governance could weaken the impact of the strikes, Enenche said the Federal Government must confront these challenges decisively.
He called for firm action against corruption and ineffective leadership, insisting that no individual should be shielded from accountability, regardless of rank, and that decisive action would not destabilise the nation.
Addressing questions about how sustainable the U.S. intervention might be, Enenche described it as realistic, explaining that international partnerships are usually based on mutual interests and expected benefits.
He added that there was nothing unusual about keeping certain agreements confidential, as long as Nigeria also strengthened its internal systems.
The retired general urged Nigeria to fully embrace modern technology, especially drones, to build on the security gains.
He recalled that the introduction of surveillance drones in some areas previously led to a noticeable reduction in criminal activity for several months. He proposed that if the 19 northern states contributed N1 billion each monthly, the combined funds could be used to establish drone bases equipped with surveillance and, where legally allowed, strike capabilities.
Enenche also criticised individuals and groups opposing the U.S. strikes, including some religious leaders and opposition figures.
He argued that anyone resisting efforts to restore security was acting against national interests, suggesting that such opposition could stem from personal gain or lack of personal loss from the crisis. He urged the government to take firm action against such elements.
On concerns that foreign military involvement might harm Nigeria’s sovereignty or global reputation, Enenche dismissed the argument, stating that saving lives should come first.
He noted that Nigeria’s international image had already suffered in the past, particularly over corruption, and insisted that any action that preserves lives is justified.
He concluded by calling for nationwide support for the security efforts, warning that both external terrorists and internal collaborators must be confronted if Nigeria is to make progress.
Meanwhile, Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi had urged President Bola Tinubu to suspend all military cooperation with the United States following the airstrikes.
Gumi, who has frequently been accused of showing sympathy for terrorists, warned that American involvement could worsen instability and threaten Nigeria’s sovereignty.