US Strikes in Nigeria Expose Security Failures, Says Hashim

Presidential candidate of the People’s Trust (PT), Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has condemned the recent United States airstrikes targeting Islamic State (IS) operatives in Nigeria, describing them as a stark indictment of the country’s failing security architecture.

In a statement issued to journalists in Kaduna, Hashim blamed the APC-led administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for failing to address the terror threats facing Nigerians, which prompted international intervention.

“The US airstrikes reflect growing global concern over Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation, especially in the North-West, where extremist groups are steadily consolidating control,” Hashim said.

He warned that Nigeria’s strategic importance makes it impossible for responsible international actors to ignore the rise of IS-affiliated networks in the country. According to Hashim, his team had repeatedly cautioned since 2021 that the North-West’s security trajectory was alarming, with a potential for an IS-aligned enclave to emerge if urgent measures were not taken.

The PT candidate attributed the worsening insecurity to deepening poverty, prolonged governance failures, and weakened institutions—factors that have emboldened extremist groups while marginalizing moderate political and civil voices.

“Even more concerning is the rise of individuals who enable or rationalize extremism into positions of influence, creating conditions for terror groups to aspire to territorial control,” Hashim added.

While acknowledging that international airstrikes may temporarily disrupt terrorist operations, he emphasized that lasting solutions must come from within. He called for carefully negotiated security cooperation between sovereign nations, with clear accountability and transparent reporting, to prevent abuse and ensure long-term stability.

“The situation in the North-West is dire. Without urgent reforms, improved governance, and decisive political leadership, external interventions alone cannot yield sustainable results,” he warned.

Hashim further questioned the readiness of the APC-led government to implement critical internal reforms, suggesting that political compromises dating back to 2015 continue to hinder decisive action against extremist groups. He stressed that Nigeria could no longer afford denial or half-measures in addressing what he described as an existential threat.

“Courageous leadership is urgently needed to prevent further deterioration of national security,” he concluded.