Airstrike: Why the US Selected Sokoto as Its First Target in Nigeria – Expert Analysis

An international human rights attorney and specialist in bilateral relations, Emmanuel Ogebe, has provided insight into why Sokoto State was reportedly chosen as the initial location for a United States airstrike operation in Nigeria.

Speaking on the development, Ogebe explained that the decision was not necessarily based on the intensity of violent activity in the area but rather on strategic familiarity and prior operational experience. According to reports, the pattern of the strike suggested a preference for a location where the US military already possessed ground knowledge and intelligence confidence.

He recalled that Sokoto had previously hosted a US military operation during the first term of former US President Donald Trump. In that 2020 mission, American special forces successfully rescued Philip Walton, a US citizen who had been abducted by armed groups. The operation reportedly resulted in the neutralisation of at least six terrorists, reinforcing the area’s significance in past counterterrorism efforts.

Ogebe described Sokoto as an unexpected choice for an opening strike, particularly because it is not the primary hub of jihadist insurgency in Nigeria. He noted that Nigeria’s North-East region, especially Borno State, has historically been the epicentre of extremist violence and recently witnessed a deadly suicide bombing.

However, he pointed out that the North-West region presents a more predictable operational environment for US forces. According to him, earlier missions in the area provided American troops with institutional memory, making Sokoto a safer and more calculated option for an initial engagement.

Another factor highlighted was Sokoto’s geographical proximity to the Niger Republic. Until recently, the United States maintained military bases in Niger, giving American forces deeper familiarity with the terrain, cross-border movements, and regional intelligence structures. This closeness, Ogebe suggested, likely played a role in shaping the strategic decision.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has stated that the airstrike operation was carried out jointly with the United States and other allied partners. Ogebe described this assertion as plausible, referencing challenges encountered during the 2020 Walton rescue mission. That operation reportedly faced complications due to the lack of confirmed Nigerian airspace clearance, nearly jeopardising its success.

According to him, lessons learned from that experience may have contributed to the improved coordination now being claimed by Nigerian authorities.