Former Assistant Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Dennis Amachree, has described the recent United States drone strikes on terrorist camps in Nigeria’s North-West as a deliberate and calculated warning rather than a random military action.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Amachree said the operation was meant to send a strong message to terrorists and their supporters that sustained military action would follow.
“The message is very clear. It is a warning shot to terrorists and their supporters wherever they are. I believe the raids will continue,” he said, adding that insecurity should no longer be politicised.
According to him, the operation involved highly sophisticated MQ-9 Reaper Predator drones and precision-guided missiles, making it clear that the strikes were neither symbolic nor accidental.
“The missiles used were precision-guided and delivered by MQ-9 Reaper Predator drones, which are extremely expensive,” Amachree explained. “Each drone costs between 30 and 33 million dollars, while the missiles cost about two million dollars each. The United States would not spend such resources without a clear objective.”
His comments followed confirmation by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, that Nigeria officially requested and supported the US strikes, which reportedly killed several terrorists in Sokoto State.
The United States had earlier confirmed that the strikes were carried out in the North-West.
Speaking on Sunrise Daily, Tuggar said Nigeria remains open to international cooperation in combating terrorism and insecurity.
“We have been working closely with the Americans. This is what we have always hoped for — cooperation with the US and other countries to fight terrorism and stop the killing of innocent Nigerians,” he said.
The minister disclosed that the operation was conducted at Nigeria’s request and based on intelligence provided by Nigerian authorities.
“Nigeria provided the intelligence for the strike. I spoke with the US Secretary of State for 19 minutes before the operation, and we agreed to consult President Tinubu. He approved it,” Tuggar stated.
He added that President Bola Tinubu gave approval on the condition that the operation be clearly identified as a joint effort and not targeted at any religious group.
“We ensured it was clear that this was a joint operation and not directed against any religion,” Tuggar said, stressing Nigeria’s commitment to unity and the protection of all lives and property.
The strikes mark a significant escalation in international collaboration against terrorism in Nigeria’s North-West.
