Name: U.S. airstrikes deepen debate in Nigeria
Uploaded: 2025-12-27T09:32:56.866Z
Duration: 2 min 3 s
Description: Nigeria is facing mixed reactions following U.S. airstrikes targeting Islamic State-linked militants in the country’s northwest, a move that has surprised many in a nation where foreign military intervention is rare.

Nigeria is facing mixed reactions following U.S. airstrikes targeting Islamic State-linked militants in the country’s northwest, a move that has surprised many in a nation where foreign military intervention is rare.

Abuja

U.S. airstrikes targeting ISIS in northwest Nigeria have led to a divided response among Nigerians. While some citizens welcome international efforts to address longstanding insecurity, others express skepticism about Washington's timing and intentions, especially following recent U.S. criticism of attacks on Christians in the country.

Experts and local voices highlight that Nigeria's security challenges are complex, involving multiple armed groups and requiring tailored approaches. There is concern that while airstrikes may offer temporary relief, they are unlikely to resolve the broader and deeply rooted security crisis facing the nation.

U.S. airstrikes deepen debate in Nigeria

After U.S. airstrikes in northwest Nigeria, the reaction is divided. Some Nigerians welcome the move against ISIS, while others question Washington's timing and motives. The strikes came weeks after U.S. criticism over attacks on Christians. For the ordinary Nigerians, this is a matter of life and death. And any effort, any effort that can help towards addressing the insecurity that has been in Nigeria over the last decade or so, will be welcomed by the overwhelming majority of Nigerians. But that effort has to be intelligence-driven, it has to be precise, and it has to succeed. Nigeria's approval of the attacks is striking. Foreign military intervention here is rare. Nigerians on the streets would expect magic because when you say that the U.S. is coming then there is some sort of savior complex on the part of the people who think that once the U.S. steps in then all the problems are wiped away. But realistically speaking, that would not be the case because these situations are very complex. I mean, the Nigerian government has been dealing with this, with only the Islamic State, for over 10 years now. It has evolved from Boko Haram to splinter groups and we keep having complicated situations with them. And then you have the situation with the bandits in the northwest. And each of these conflicts have their own peculiarities. They differ in so many ways from one to the other. It's the same way that if you go down south, you have different security situations which all differ and require different tactics in handling them. And so I do not see that the airstrikes will necessarily end the situation. It might quell it for an interim moment or temporarily, but it doesn't exactly mean that this would mean an end to the security situation. Nigeria is fighting multiple armed groups from Islamic State affiliates linked to Boko Haram to the lesser-known Lukawaria gangs.

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