Primate Elijah Ayodele, founder of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has cautioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against celebrating the recent United States US military strike in Sokoto, warning that armed groups may respond with violent reprisals.
Ayodele said the attack on the Islamic sect could provoke intensified counter-attacks by terrorists and bandits, rather than weaken them.
He stressed that the development does not represent a lasting solution to Nigeria’s security crisis.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on his behalf by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin.
According to the cleric, the U.S. action should not be mistaken for meaningful assistance to Nigeria, describing it instead as driven by Western interests.
He argued that the strike has left Nigeria exposed and could further complicate ongoing efforts to curb kidnapping and insurgency.
Ayodele insisted that security challenges in the country cannot be resolved through foreign intervention alone.
“Nigerians shouldn’t celebrate yet, and President Tinubu shouldn’t celebrate either, because the powerlessness of his government is getting exposed, and America can come up with anything against him. This won’t stop kidnapping or insecurity in Nigeria.
“The government of Nigeria must work on it because the US cannot do it without the Nigerian government.
“Another bombing is coming up, and these bandits are ready for the consequences. They are also ready to counter-attack heavily; the government must get prepared for the outcome.”
Ayodele further called for urgent coordination within the Nigerian military, urging security agencies to review their strategies to avoid setbacks in the fight against insecurity.
He also raised concerns about individuals allegedly involved in negotiations with armed groups, describing them as a major obstacle to peace.
According to him, such actors must be investigated and prosecuted if the country is serious about ending terrorism.
While critical of the U.S. strike, the cleric acknowledged that American involvement could help uncover those financing terrorism within Nigeria.
“America will expose the terrorist financiers, but what is going to happen to those negotiating with the bandits?
“These ones are the major problems, and if the country is serious about insecurity, the military must go after these negotiators. This needs serious planning so it won’t get worse,” he added.