On December 25, the United States launched a fusillade of air strikes on ISIS terrorists in the north-western Nigerian state of Sokoto.
The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said in a post on X that the strike was at “the request of Nigerian authorities”.
“Lethal strikes against ISIS demonstrate the strength of our military and our commitment to eliminating terrorist threats against Americans at home and abroad,” AFRICOM said.
United States President, Donald Trump who in a statement confirmed the strike, said it was in response to ISIS attacks, including killings of Christians in the region.Photo- Radio Nigeria Archive
According to Trump, the US launched a “powerful and deadly strike” against the Islamic State (IS) group in north-western Nigeria.
The airstrikes against Islamic State these (ISIS) militants in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day, was reported to have targeted terrorist camps in Sokoto State.
“I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” the US President said in a post on his Truth Social platform.
“May God Bless our Military,” he said, adding, “MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.”
Trump described the ISIS as ” terrorist scum”, accusing the group of “targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians”.
Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, described the action as a joint counterterrorism operation, stressing that it was not directed at any religion.
The Nigerian authorities noted that extremist violence affects both Muslim and Christian communities, underscoring the complex nature of the country’s security challenges.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth thanked Nigeria for its cooperation and signaled that further action against terrorist groups could follow.Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, on Friday, also maintained that the United States military airstrikes conducted in parts of the North-West did not infringe on the nation’s sovereignty or territorial integrity, emphasising that the operation was fully authorised by the Federal Government.
Speaking during a CNN interview after the Christmas Day strikes, Tuggar said the operation was a joint, collaborative effort between Nigeria and the United States approved at the highest level of govt by President Bola Tinubu.
“We collaborated on this attack. It was a collaborative effort between Nigeria and the US, and President Tinubu gave the go-ahead before it took place, and we don’t see it violating our sovereignty or territorial integrity, which is very important,” the minister said.Tuggar explained that Nigeria’s cooperation with the United States was driven solely by the need to combat terrorism and protect lives, not by external pressure or religious considerations.
The reports further stated that while addressing concerns about the possible future deployment of the US troops to Nigeria, the Minister clarified that such decisions fall under the authority of Nigeria’s defence and security institutions, not foreign govts.
“These are operational issues that would have to be considered by our military and security agencies,” he said.Tuggar emphasised that Nigeria’s approach to counterterrorism prioritises practical results over abstract debates, noting that the country is focused on stopping terrorist violence rather than engaging in philosophical arguments.
Meanwhile, one of the locations in Tangaza LG of Sokoto State that was hit by the United States airstrike was reported of still fuming.
According to Tangaza LGA Chairman, Isa Saleh Bashir, who spoke to the BBC, said the strike hit the bush paths and terrorists camps in the area.
“We have not received information on the number of people killed, but they are certainly injured. Reports indicate that Niger Republic security forces on patrol said they saw Lakurawa fleeing the area,” the local government chairman said.
