On Thursday, December 25, 2025, the United States carried out airstrikes in Sokoto state, Nigeria, targeting militants linked to the Islamic State (IS). The strikes were launched from a warship in the Gulf of Guinea and approved by Nigeria, which shared critical intelligence. 🚨
Dr. Oluwole Ojewale, a senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies in Dakar, sees the move as expected but not a silver bullet 🤔. "The strikes were expected, given the nature of the security collaboration between the two countries in recent years. However, many people were caught off guard," he says.
Ojewale warns that military force alone won't solve Nigeria's complex security challenges. He suggests the U.S. should also help build Nigeria's capacity in areas like intelligence gathering, cutting off terrorist financing, improving logistics, and tightening border security 🔍🔒.
U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking on his Truth Social platform, said the strikes hit IS-linked militants and condemned the group for killing "innocent Christians." Meanwhile, Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar clarified that the operation focused strictly on terrorist targets and wasn't aimed at any religion.
Experts agree that to truly defeat terrorism, we need a multifaceted approach: smart strikes, yes, but also long-term support for local authorities, better surveillance, and stronger communities. It's a reminder that fighting terror is about brains as much as bombs 💣✨.
Reference(s):
Expert: Military action alone cannot defeat terrorism in Nigeria
cgtn.com
