What Nigerian military said on U.S. airstrikes in Sokoto

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), working in conjunction with the United States, have conducted precision strike operations against identified foreign Islamic State (ISIS)-linked elements operating in parts of North West Nigeria, the military has confirmed.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, the operation was carried out with the approval of the appropriate Federal Government authorities and forms part of ongoing coordinated efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and other criminal groups posing a threat to Nigeria’s national security.

The military said the strikes were based on credible intelligence and followed detailed operational planning aimed at degrading the capabilities of the targeted ISIS-linked elements while minimising collateral damage.

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“The operation underscores the resolve of the Federal Government of Nigeria, working with strategic partners, to confront transnational terrorism and prevent foreign fighters from establishing or expanding footholds within Nigeria’s borders,” the statement said.

It noted that the joint action reflects deepening security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, particularly in intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism operations, as authorities intensify efforts to curb the activities of extremist groups operating across porous borders in the North West.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) reiterated the Armed Forces’ commitment to protecting lives and property across the country, stressing that joint and inter-agency operations would continue until lasting peace and security are restored.

The military also assured the public that it remains focused on working with both local and international partners to address evolving security threats and prevent the infiltration of foreign terrorist fighters into Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Bill Huizenga, a US congressman who recently led a congressional delegation to Nigeria, said the strikes were carried out in coordination with the Nigerian government under the direction of President Donald Trump and the US military.

According to Huizenga, the operation was aimed at curbing attacks by radical Islamist groups and protecting civilians, including Christians and moderate Muslims, who have borne the brunt of insurgent violence.

“Today, in coordination with the Nigerian government, President Trump and the US military took decisive action to protect Christians from radical Islamists in Nigeria,” Huizenga said in a statement.

The congressman noted that the delegation’s visit to Nigeria over the weekend provided fresh insight into evolving attitudes within parts of the Nigerian government.

He said there were growing signs of a willingness to more actively protect vulnerable communities and to confront armed groups responsible for terrorising civilians.

Huizenga framed the strikes as a corrective to past international failures to act decisively in the face of mass violence.

Drawing parallels with historical crises, he said the United States had been “too late in Rwanda and too late in South Sudan,” adding that the latest operation showed Washington was now taking targeted killings and insecurity in Nigeria more seriously.

“This strike demonstrates the United States is taking the targeted killings in Nigeria seriously,” he said.

Shehu Sani, a former lawmaker said that if the reported airstrikes against terrorist targets in the northwest were indeed a joint operation with Nigerian authorities, as indicated by the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), then the action was justified.

“If actually the military strikes against the terrorist targets in the northwestern part of Nigeria were a joint operation with the Nigerian authorities, then it is a conscionable action,” Sani said.

He described terrorist groups operating in the region as “cancerous cells” that have inflicted widespread harm on communities, regardless of religion.

Sani rejected claims that the violence targets only one faith, stressing that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of attacks.

“Terrorists have become cancerous cells in our part of the country. They live by the sword,” he said, adding that the narrative portraying the conflict as exclusively faith-based was “absolutely false and misleading.”

While welcoming international support, Sani cautioned against overreliance on foreign powers to address Nigeria’s security challenges.

He argued that lasting peace and stability must be driven by Nigerians themselves.

“The ultimate security and peace in our country lies with ourselves and not with the US or any foreign power. They can complementarily or unilaterally strike, but they can’t eternally fight our battles”, he said.