Sani Backs Reported Joint Military Strikes Against Terrorists in North-West Nigeria

Former Nigerian senator Shehu Sani has expressed support for reported military strikes against terrorist targets in the North-Western part of Nigeria, describing the action as justified if carried out in collaboration with Nigerian authorities.

In a statement, Sani referenced a post by the United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM) on its verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, which indicated that the strikes were a joint operation with Nigerian authorities.

“At the direction of the President of the United States and the Secretary of War, and in coordination with Nigerian authorities, U.S. Africa Command conducted strikes against ISIS terrorists in Nigeria on Dec. 25, 2025, in Sokoto State.”

He said such cooperation would be a “conscionable action” given the scale of insecurity in the region.

Sani described terrorist groups operating in the area as “cancerous cells” that have inflicted widespread suffering on communities, noting that their violence affects people across religious and ethnic lines. He rejected claims that terrorist attacks target only one faith, calling that narrative “absolutely false and misleading.”

While acknowledging the potential value of foreign military support, Sani emphasised that lasting peace and security in Nigeria cannot depend on external forces.

According to him, international partners may complement or, in some cases, act unilaterally, but they cannot be relied upon to fight Nigeria’s battles indefinitely.

He stressed that the responsibility for long-term security ultimately rests with Nigerians and their institutions, urging a sustained domestic commitment to confronting terrorism and restoring peace.

On Christmas day, President Donald Trump on Truth Social tonight, confirmed that the United States, under his direction as Commander in Chief, conducted “a powerful and deadly strike” against ISIS-affiliated terrorists in northwest Nigeria.

The full presidential statement reads:

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries! I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was. The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing. Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper. May God bless our Military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.”