The Alliance of Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM) has expressed support for the recent joint military operation between Nigeria and the United States in Sokoto State, while cautioning South West governors to prepare for potential retaliatory attacks.
In a statement released on Sunday morning, the group described the bilateral strike on terrorist hideouts as a necessary and decisive response to the escalating threat of extremism.
“The joint strike between Nigeria and the United States represents a present and consistent threat to Islamic fundamentalism in Nigeria. We welcome the attacks on terrorists that are determined to take over the Nigerian space. The attack has shown that Nigeria is building effective partnership across the world to reclaim the lost sovereignty of the country,” the statement read.
Signed by AYDM General Secretary Popoola Ajayi and Rasaq Arogundade, the statement emphasized that while the Sokoto strikes were a “bold and courteous step,” they should serve as a catalyst for enhanced security across other regions, particularly in the South West.
The group specifically urged South West governors to anticipate potential “blowback” as terrorist factions may attempt to strike the home base of President Bola Tinubu or target key economic hubs.
“South West Governors must prepare for terrorists’ operations and possible attacks on the region, as the terrorists would wish to fight back targeting the home base of the President and also foreign economic interests, of which Lagos and the South West is chief host,” the statement warned.
While praising the military initiative, the AYDM cautioned that armed action alone cannot resolve the deeper “clash of civilizations” within Nigeria. The coalition called on the President and the National Assembly to pursue decentralization and ethnic self-determination.
“The attacks are not enough. It is time to restructure Nigeria so that those who believe in a theocratic state and those who cherish democracy should have their own sovereign Republics. There is no country that can fight terrorism alone without sharing intelligence and operations with allies,” the statement added.
The group also alleged that terrorism in Nigeria has been weaponised as a “tool for political bargain,” claiming that influential sponsors are using violence to destabilize governance.
While welcoming US involvement, the AYDM recommended that the Tinubu administration expand its security partnerships to include countries such as Russia and Israel.
“Nigeria needs as many countries as possible—as many friends that are necessary to defeat terror. The Nigerian authority should also seek collaboration with Russia and Israel, some of the few countries that give unconditional support to Africa’s strive for freedom. We wish to see the Nigerian anti-terrorism framework extended to Russia, given their progressive role in counter-terrorism operations in the Sahel,” the statement said.
Concluding, the AYDM stated that with the new level of international involvement, “the days of the terrorists are numbered,” provided the government remains steadfast in its alliances and implements necessary internal political reforms.
The US, under President Donald Trump, had issued a ‘lethal action’ ultimatum in November 2025, citing the killing of Christians in Nigeria. While Washington framed the strikes as a defense of religious freedom, the Nigerian Foreign Ministry described them as a strategic “joint operation” aimed at reclaiming sovereignty from increasingly emboldened extremist groups.
