The United States’ Christmas Day air strikes on alleged ISIS targets in northwest Nigeria have continued to generate questions, reactions, and concerns both locally and internationally.
On December 25, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that American forces had carried out air strikes on terrorist bases linked to the Islamic State group in Nigeria.
The announcement initially sparked anxiety among Nigerians, with many questioning whether the country’s sovereignty had been breached.
However, Nigerian authorities later clarified that the operation was a joint effort, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to Nigeria’s Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, the strikes were carried out with the full involvement of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Washington says the strikes targeted militants affiliated with the Islamic State, with the U.S. Africa Command confirming that there were multiple casualties, though without naming specific targets.
Nigeria, on its part, says the strikes hit two major ISIS enclaves located in the Bauni forest, in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Despite this, security analysts have raised questions about the choice of location. Northwestern Nigeria, particularly Sokoto State, is more commonly plagued by criminal gangs known as bandits, rather than jihadist groups.
Both U.S. and Nigerian officials have hinted that more strikes may follow, suggesting a broader counterterrorism campaign.
On how the operation was carried out, Nigerian authorities say the U.S. deployed guided missiles fired from Reaper drones, launched from maritime platforms in the Gulf of Guinea. Debris from the munitions reportedly fell in parts of Sokoto and neighbouring Kwara State, near a hotel.
The government insists that no civilians were injured during the operation.
Nigeria has battled insurgency since 2009, primarily involving Boko Haram and its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province. In recent years, other armed groups, including Lakurawa and possible affiliates of Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM, have expanded into the northwest.
Analysts are also paying close attention to the timing of the strikes. Coming on Christmas Day, some believe the move carries symbolic significance, especially following President Trump’s earlier accusations that Nigeria was allowing violence against Christians, claims the Nigerian government strongly rejects.
