The strikes came more as torrential blasts on a Christmas day targeting areas believed to be hideouts of terrorists along the Nigeria-Niger border in Sokoto State. Pope Leo XIV had made a passionate appeal to world leaders in warring nations to observe a truce in the spirit of peace and joy that go with Christmas and end of year festivities.
Nigerians in Sokoto State were however awakened last Thursday night by loud blasts which residents in nearby communities concluded to be the handiwork of one of the multiple armed groups that have for over a decade now plagued, plundered and terrorised the entire Northwestern flange of the country.
It however turned out to be that the blasts were deafening echoes of strikes by the United States in a Christmas day bombardment that targeted terrorist enclaves in that region. The strike came as a surprise to many around the Jabo town, 100 kilometers south of Sokoto city. President Trump however disclosed through his Truth handle that the strike would have taken place earlier but were deliberately delayed to the night of a Christmas day to catchup with the terrorists unawares and to also serve as a packaged symbolic Christmas present.
It is however worthy of note that the strikes did not record any civilian casualties. The Sokoto State government made this confirmation while stating that the operation targeted terrorist strongholds within the Tangaza Local Government Area. The strike turned out to be a decisive step taken to stem the rising tide of insurgency in Northwestern part of Nigeria. While Nigeria has insisted that it approved the air strike and did in fact provide the intelligence that guided it, many have insisted that the mode and manner of attack viewed in the light that the Commander-In-Chief that ordered the strike and eventually announced its successful execution being Donald Trump raises strong doubts on Nigerian Army’s significant involvement. This raises a number of questions not just about the trivialization of Nigeria’s sovereignty and the level of involvement of Nigeria’s military and the implications for the future security of our dear country.
Meanwhile, there is a groundswell of palpable fear in parts of the country that the strikes could be followed up on with nobody knowing for sure where and when the next bangs of airstrikes will be sounding.
The possibility of Islamist fundamentalists and terrorists regrouping to fight back cannot be dismissed with a wave of hand. It has also become interesting that while the likes of Sheikh Ahmad Gumi are condemning the strike on the terrorists, especially the choice of America as Nigeria’s ally in the fight to combat terrorism upsurge, calls are coming from the likes of former Senate Leader Ali Ndume. The call is for the Federal Government to extend its joint military operations to the North Eastern part of the country. Ndume, a former chairman of the Senate Committee on Army said expanding the scope of the military operations to the North-East would significantly weaken insurgent groups operating in the region, particularly ISWAP and Boko Haram.
The strikes on Christmas day followed what the United States called Islamic State targets in northwestern Nigeria followed President Trump’s threat November this year to take military action if the Federal Government failed to show seriousness and capacity in stopping the killing of Christians by Islamist militants.
Now that the first set of strikes have come, more definitely will be expected. There are however profound doubts if the issues on ground will be sufficiently settled with air strikes.
Terrorist groups operating in Nigeria include affiliates of the Islamic State, which once controlled a wide swath of Iraq and Syria but was largely defeated by local militias and American troops.
In 2016, a group known as the Islamic State West Africa Province, or ISWAP, splintered from Boko Haram and declared allegiance to the Islamic State. ISWAP operates primarily in northeastern Nigeria and has also carried out attacks in neighboring Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
A smaller affiliate, known as Islamic State — Sahel Province, has been most active west of Nigeria, in countries including Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. Those countries lie in the Sahel region, which stretches across the south of the Sahara.
Recent coups in Burkina Faso, Chad and Niger have disrupted governance in West Africa, creating openings for terrorist groups to escalate their attacks in the region.
It is believed that a closer collaboration between the Nigerian military and their American counterparts will bring about a more sustainable result in the ongoing counter terrorism crusade. While that is going on, the Federal Government and governments at other tiers owe it a sacrosanct duty to rebuild trust amongst the citizens and the communities.
Nigeria should hold hope for her citizens and not despair, for hope deferred makes the heart grieve. Maybe I should conclude with the words of the Vice President, Kashim Shettima Mustapha that Nigeria, surely, will defeat terrorism. How long it will take to achieve that will depend on the level of sincerity of purpose, demonstration of unwavering political will on the part of the lead political actors and tacit regional and international collaboration.
More of these will need to be seen in year 2026. Look forward to seeing you in the New Year. Congratulations for surviving a most phenomenal year, 2025.
