Support for Airstrikes Against Jihadists
The leader of the largest organization for the Tiv people in central Nigeria recently expressed gratitude to President Trump for authorizing airstrikes targeting jihadists harming Christian communities. Chief Iorbi Ihag conveyed this sentiment through local media over the weekend, stressing the need for further U.S. action in Benue State, where the Tiv population resides and is facing severe attacks from jihadist groups.
In Benue, attacks from groups identified as Fulani “herdsmen” have led to widespread displacement, the destruction of churches, and the usurpation of land. Father Remigius Ihyula from Makurdi highlighted that these conflicts often leave Christians feeling marginalized and discriminated against, both by jihadists and the federal government.
“It seems there’s a perception that leadership in Nigeria is primarily reserved for certain ethnic groups, and this perpetuates injustice,” he noted. Despite ongoing violence in northwest Nigeria, Ihag remarked on how President Trump’s efforts to protect Christians offer hope in central Nigeria. He expressed appreciation for the U.S. military’s operations, urging that assistance be extended to Benue, where violence against churchgoers is tragically common.
Ihag characterized the situation for the Tiv and other Christians in the Middle Belt as a “genocide,” explaining the grim reality of consistent attacks on their community over the past 16 years, which force them to abandon their homes and livelihoods.
On Christmas Day, Trump announced a “strong and deadly attack” targeting remnants of ISIS terrorists in northwest Nigeria. The country is starkly divided, with the north being predominantly Muslim and the south largely Christian. Boko Haram is often associated with the northeast and its jihadist activities. Benue State lies in the Middle Belt, which separates these two regions.
Trump issued a warning to terrorists regarding the ongoing violence against Christians, reiterating that they would face severe consequences. Following the airstrikes, the Nigerian government has provided only limited information, with Foreign Minister Yusuf Tugar indicating coordination with the U.S. and affirming Nigeria’s commitment to combating terrorism.
Tugar described discussions with U.S. officials leading up to the attacks but noted a lack of clarity on the airstrike’s effectiveness. Some reports suggest that no casualty figures have been released, yet they hailed the operation as a “huge success,” claiming significant achievements against terrorist strongholds.
In the aftermath, local officials in the targeted areas confirmed that casualty numbers had not been disclosed by the federal government.
