Nigerian President Tinubu Commends U.S. Airstrikes Against Terrorism
In his address for the New Year, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria expressed appreciation for the U.S. airstrikes aimed at terrorist targets in northwest Nigeria. He reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to collaborating with international allies to fight against “criminal and terrorist elements” that threaten their way of life.
“In partnership with international allies, including the United States, decisive action was taken against certain terrorist targets in the North West on December 24. Since then, our military has remained active against terrorist networks and criminal activities throughout the North West and North East,” Tinubu noted.
He further stated, “By 2026, our security and intelligence agencies will enhance cooperation with both regional and global partners to eliminate threats to our national security. We are dedicated to safeguarding our nation’s lives, property, and territorial integrity.”
The U.S. forces, targeting Islamic State militants, collaborated with Nigerian military and intelligence to conduct airstrikes in Sokoto, a region in the northwest, last Thursday.
In a statement on Truth Social, former President Donald Trump mentioned, “We have approved a powerful strike against ISIS terrorists, primarily targeting those who brutally attack innocent Christians, an unprecedented level of violence in recent history.”
Trump also remarked on an interview with Politico that the strike had originally been scheduled for December 24 but was postponed as a sort of “Christmas present.” He added, “They didn’t see it coming, and we hit them hard, destroying every camp.”
During his New Year speech, Tinubu expressed his belief that a decentralized police system, along with well-regulated forest guards, could effectively combat the looming threats of terrorism and banditry.
There’s an ongoing debate in Nigeria about the merits of a centralized military force versus allowing individual states to maintain their own police and militia. Tinubu seems to lean toward the latter option.
Critics of Tinubu have pointed out that his push for “decentralized security” might just be an escape from accountability for rising crime rates, including murders and kidnappings. A scandal broke recently regarding the insufficient number of police officers assigned to protect rural citizens compared to high-level officials.
The Nigeria National Defense Headquarters reported that assessments of the damage from the U.S. airstrike were still underway. Military spokesman Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja reassured the public that findings would be shared once concluded.
“Currently, we are gathering information, and you’ll receive updates once the assessment is finalized. It’s vital for us to keep specific operations confidential during execution,” Onoja explained.
He added that Nigerian intelligence had confirmed the presence of terrorist groups in the targeted locations prior to the airstrikes, information that hadn’t been released due to security concerns. “It’s evident that they’re in the Sahel region, which is close to Sokoto. Intelligence suggests they were operating there before the attack,” he stated.
“Over time, we will disclose more about our activities. It’s crucial to maintain confidentiality while we act, but I promise to keep you informed,” he told reporters. He emphasized the importance of mobilizing civilians to alert military and security agencies about potential threats, advocating for a community-centered approach in addressing safety and insecurity.
