Residents of Jabo village in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State remain anxious following a recent airstrike carried out by the United States in collaboration with the Nigerian government.
Despite the presence of security operatives patrolling the area, villagers say fear still grips the community, as many have not fully recovered from the shock caused by the explosion.
Eyewitnesses said the blast occurred suddenly late at night, throwing residents into panic and confusion.
Some people initially struggled to understand what had happened, while others feared the worst due to the loud impact and damage caused.
Jabo village had largely been peaceful in the past and even served as a refuge for internally displaced persons from nearby communities affected by insecurity. However, investigations reveal that the Lakurawa terrorist group has been operating around the area, particularly during the rainy season.
According to residents, the group usually moves into the community when farming activities begin and crops start to grow. They are said to leave after harvest, making their presence seasonal and difficult to predict.
Locals also alleged that Lakurawa fighters often target villagers during this period, abducting people and demanding ransom for their release, which has deepened fears of a possible return.
A journalist who visited the community after the airstrike confirmed that security personnel are still maintaining patrols and that no fresh attacks have been recorded. Nevertheless, villagers insist that the threat may still be nearby, as the group is known to operate quietly during farming seasons.
Speaking on the development, a retired Major General and security expert, Ibrahim Sani, said Nigeria must urgently review its counter-terrorism approach. He noted that relying solely on conventional military tactics is ineffective against groups that employ guerrilla warfare.
He stressed the need for intelligence-driven operations, including infiltration of terrorist groups, to better understand their structure and weaken their activities from within.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that the airstrike in Sokoto may be part of wider security operations, as intelligence indicates that US surveillance drones have begun monitoring the Sambisa Forest, a known hideout of Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in Nigeria’s North-East.
Security sources say further joint operations could follow as authorities intensify efforts to combat terrorism across the country.
