‘Trump doesn’t bluff’, ex-DSS chief hails US strike

…Says its game-changer in Nigeria’s war against bandits
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

ABUJA —Security expert and retired Director with the Department of State Services, DSS, Chief Mike Ejiofor, has said that the recent United States military strike in Sokoto State marked the start of a bold new era in Nigeria’s fight against bandits and terrorists.
Ejiofor, in an interview with Vanguard, described the US President, Donald Trump as a no-nonsense man.
“I wasn’t surprised with the US strike because in my earlier interview when Trump made that threat, I highlighted that Trump doesn’t joke when he says something. Anything he says or he promises, he will do it,” he said.
Ejiofor, who initially was worried that Trump might act unilaterally, praised the Federal Government’s swift coordination.
He noted that a delegation led by National Security Adviser, NSA , Nuhu Ribadu met US officials, leading to undisclosed strategic decisions that paved the way for the precision strike.
“Luckily, the Federal Government’s delegation led by the NSA met with the US government officials where far-reaching decisions were taken but not made public for strategic reasons, I guess,” he said.
He said both the government and military have confirmed the joint operation, signaling deeper collaboration ahead.
The strike targeted bandits in Sokoto, a hotspot amid rising kidnappings in the North West, rather than Boko Haram strongholds like Borno. Ejiofor linked it to fresh intelligence on cross-border movements from Sokoto into Kebbi and Zamfara.
“If you noticed, if you look at the North West in the recent times, there have been more kidnappings and killings in those areas. They must have gotten intelligence before the strike,” he explained.
He said reports indicated one bandit cell leader was killed with minimal civilian casualties, a hallmark of US tech superiority.
Ejiofor dismissed sovereignty concerns raised by some persons, noting Nigeria’s active partnership.
“There is no way it can compromise Nigeria’s sovereignty when the Nigeria government is working with them. The Federal Government has said ‘yes’ we are working with the American government. So, I don’t think there’s any compromise on sovereignty.”
He said he anticipates more of such operations, drawing parallels to a past US rescue in Niger where bandits were neutralised to free American citizens held hostage.

The post ‘Trump doesn’t bluff’, ex-DSS chief hails US strike appeared first on Vanguard News.