Former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the United States’ military airstrike on suspected Islamic State (ISIL/ISIS) fighters in northwest Nigeria, warning that the action poses grave dangers to Nigeria’s sovereignty and regional stability.
Reacting to the development, Sowore said, “Nobody should be rejoicing about this. This is imperialist move on the part of Trump.”
He added that while international support could come in other forms, direct military action by foreign forces inside Nigeria was unacceptable.
According to him, “US could help Nigerian military but U.S. military carrying out attack inside Nigeria is extremely dangerous, reckless and bad.”
Sowore further described the incident as “a sad day for the so-called African liberation and Independence.”
His reaction followed confirmation by United States President Donald Trump that American forces had carried out a military strike against ISIS fighters operating in northwest Nigeria.
Announcing the operation on his Truth Social platform on Thursday evening, Trump said, “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria.”
Trump claimed the targeted fighters had “targeted and viciously” killed “primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!”
He added, “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 United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) also confirmed the operation in a post on X, stating that the airstrike was carried out “at the request of Nigerian authorities” and had killed “multiple ISIS terrorists.”
In a related post, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth wrote, “Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation,” while also warning of “more to come,” without providing further details.
AFRICOM, in a separate statement, said the strike occurred in “Soboto state,” an apparent reference to Nigeria’s Sokoto State.
The US military action comes weeks after Trump said he had ordered the Pentagon to begin planning for potential military action in Nigeria following claims of Christian persecution in the country.
Residents of Jabo village in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State were thrown into panic on Christmas night after a loud explosion rocked the community, raising fears of a possible attack.
Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred suddenly on Thursday night, when an object suspected to be an explosive allegedly fell into the village, triggering a frightening sound that sent residents scrambling for safety.
Confirming the incident, a resident said the unexpected occurrence caused widespread fear, with many villagers initially believing they were under attack.
“It happened suddenly in the night. The explosion caused fear, but thank God it did not land among people,” the source said.