Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, human rights lawyer and lead counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, has criticized the Nigerian government over conflicting statements regarding the source of intelligence behind the recent U.S. military airstrike in Sokoto State.
Ejimakor reacted to reports, first highlighted by The New York Times, that the government shifted its claim of responsibility for providing intelligence from local security agencies to an Onitsha-based “screwdriver” salesman and Catholic activist, Emeka Umeagbalasi, founder of the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law (Intersociety). The Nigerian government had initially taken credit for collaborating with the U.S. on the December 2025 operation.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ejimakor described the reversal as “a national embarrassment,” highlighting the government’s use of $9 million in lobbyists to promote the narrative. He warned that the inconsistent messaging undermines Nigeria’s credibility, raises questions about transparency, and exposes the influence of foreign public relations firms in managing the country’s image.
The controversy has reignited debates over Nigeria’s security partnership with the United States and the integrity of national security communications, as well as the role of private individuals in sharing intelligence that informs foreign military actions.
