Civil society stakeholders have criticised the Federal Government for not revealing how many civilians and terrorists were killed in the recent United States air strike in Sokoto State, saying the lack of transparency fuels mistrust and undermines accountability.
Gatekeepers News reports that the concerns were raised on Wednesday during a virtual policy dialogue organised by The Africa Disruptions Lab (TADLab) and the Conflict Research Network West Africa (CORN West Africa).
Chidi Odinkalu, former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), described the absence of official confirmation of the precise strike location, intended targets and verified casualty figures as troubling, nearly a month after the December operation.
He referenced a report suggesting that “up to 200 unarmed civilians may have been killed,” warning that the government’s silence has deepened public mistrust.
“There are reports of debris in Kebbi state, Sokoto state, and Niger state — and none of the governors has said a word,” Odinkalu said.
“The silence around this strike — from state governors, state assemblies, federal lawmakers, and even citizens — creates the conditions for impunity,” he added.
Odinkalu also criticised President Bola Tinubu for not addressing the incident publicly, saying the “inaction” of the commander-in-chief sends a worrying signal about accountability.
He urged the federal government to release a public damage assessment, warning that the lack of transparency undermines civilian protection and democratic accountability.
Mojubaolu Okome, professor of political science at Brooklyn College and chairperson of TADLab, said institutions responsible for protecting Nigerians have been silent, and noted there has been no transparent congressional hearing or public investigation by US authorities into the strike.
“There are inconsistencies in official narratives, and no damage assessment has been made public,” she said.
Participants expressed concern about limited media coverage and muted public reaction, saying authorities’ failure to provide clarity risks normalising silence and impunity on issues involving civilian harm and national sovereignty.
Background
On December 25, 2025, the United States carried out missile strikes in Sokoto, targeting Islamic State (ISIS) militant camps in coordination with the Nigerian government.
While Nigerian and Sokoto state authorities initially reported no civilian casualties from the strikes, they acknowledged that debris from the operation was found in several communities as assessments continued.
