Onoh Criticizes New York Times Report on U.S. Airstrikes, Emphasizes Longstanding Security Intelligence
By Denise Agbo
ABUJA — Denge Josef Onoh, a former spokesperson for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the Southeast region, has criticized a recent New York Times article that links U.S. airstrikes in Nigeria to the work of a single Nigerian civil society activist. Onoh describes the report as misleading and lacking the necessary context, arguing that it oversimplifies the complex factors behind the U.S. military action.
In a statement released to journalists on Monday in Abuja, Onoh, who also serves as the Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, stated that the article, published on January 18, 2026, risks creating unnecessary tensions within Nigeria by oversimplifying the factors that influenced the U.S. military intervention.
The New York Times report, titled "The Screwdriver Salesman Behind Trump’s Airstrikes in Nigeria," suggests that the strikes were significantly influenced by the work of Emeka Umeagbalasi, the founder of the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law (Intersociety).
Onoh argues that this portrayal of the airstrikes as a result of a single individual's research ignores the extensive security assessments, intelligence gathering, and international engagement that have been ongoing for years to address Nigeria's security challenges. He emphasizes that the U.S. airstrikes, conducted by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) in coordination with Nigerian authorities, were based on comprehensive intelligence from multiple sources, including international organizations, security agencies, and policy institutions.
"The suggestion that a complex military operation was driven by the research of one individual does not reflect the functioning of modern security and intelligence systems," Onoh stated.
He noted that concerns about violent extremism and insecurity in various parts of Nigeria have been documented for over a decade by several international bodies, including Amnesty International, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), and other global human rights and conflict-monitoring organizations. Onoh referenced USCIRF reports that have raised concerns about religious freedom violations in Nigeria since 2009 and publications by advocacy groups highlighting the impact of insurgency, banditry, and communal violence across the country.
Additionally, Onoh pointed out that Nigerian religious leaders, civil society actors, and political figures have consistently raised alarms over insecurity, particularly in the North-East, North-West, and parts of the Middle Belt, long before the recent airstrikes. He emphasizes that international cooperation in counter-terrorism, including intelligence sharing and joint security operations, is a recognized and acknowledged part of Nigeria's security strategy, as confirmed by Nigerian officials.
Onoh cautioned against narratives that could deepen regional or ethnic divisions, stressing the need for responsible reporting on sensitive national security matters. He called on the media to provide balanced coverage that reflects the complexity of security decision-making processes and avoids framing that could be misinterpreted by the public.
"Nigeria’s security challenges require collective understanding, factual reporting, and careful analysis," Onoh said, urging Nigerians to focus on unity and constructive dialogue in addressing insecurity.
