The chief of army staff (COAS), Waidi Shaibu, on Friday paid a visit to Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto.
The meeting was aimed at reaffirming the “resolve of the Nigerian Army to work closely with community leaders to promote stability and coexistence across the country”.
In a post on X, the Nigerian Army said the engagement underscores its renewed determination to deepen civil–military relations and strengthen collaboration with traditional institutions in support of national unity, peace, and security.
The visit came less than 24 hours after the United States carried out air strikes on ISIS hideouts in Sokoto State.
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The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the strikes were conducted “at the request of Nigerian authorities”.
Following the operation, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed that the Nigerian military worked jointly with the US government to carry out the air raids.
Samaila Uba, director of defence information, explained that the strikes were carefully planned to neutralise the targeted elements while reducing collateral damage.
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However, Ladan Salihu, a Nigerian broadcaster and former director-general of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), alleged that the strikes failed to hit their intended targets and lacked precision.
He claimed the bombs landed in Jabo village, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, adding that residents reported no fatalities.
The Ministry of Information later clarified that the actual target was Buani forest in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The ministry added that debris from the strikes fell in Jabo and Offa in Kwara State.