On December 25, 2025, the United States military conducted precision airstrikes against identified ISIS-linked elements in Northwest Nigeria, specifically targeting enclaves within the Bauni Forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area, Sokoto State. These operations, confirmed by both the U.S. and Nigerian authorities, have ignited significant debate regarding national sovereignty, the effectiveness of foreign military intervention, and the Nigerian government's handling of its security challenges.

U.S. President Donald Trump, in a statement posted on social media, declared the strikes were carried out under his direct orders as Commander in Chief against "ISIS Terrorist Scum" who had been "targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians." This justification was echoed by U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who tweeted about the necessity to end the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria and hinted at more strikes to come. The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the operation targeted known ISIS camps in coordination with Nigerian authorities, stating it showed the strength of the U.S. military's determination against terrorist threats. The strikes reportedly involved GPS-guided precision munitions deployed from MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial platforms, launched from maritime platforms in the Gulf of Guinea.

The Nigerian government, through various officials, confirmed its collaboration with the United States. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, via Spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, stated that Nigerian authorities are engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, leading to precision hits on terrorist targets. This collaboration includes intelligence sharing, strategic coordination, and support, conducted in line with international law and mutual respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, further clarified that the operations, which occurred between 00:12 and 01:30 hours on December 26, 2025, were explicitly approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and involved the Armed Forces of Nigeria under established command and control structures. He asserted that these locations were used by foreign ISIS elements infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel to plan large-scale attacks. The Defence Headquarters, through Major General Samaila Uba, emphasized that the strikes aimed to degrade operational capabilities while minimizing collateral damage and reflected the government's determination to confront transnational terrorism. Official Nigerian reports stated that while debris from expended munitions fell in Jabo, Tambuwal LGA, Sokoto, and Offa, Kwara State, no civilian casualties were recorded.

However, the military intervention drew strong criticism and concern from several quarters. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) described the airstrikes as a consequence of the "incompetence of the present administration" under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, blaming a "failure of governance" for allowing a foreign army to attack Nigerian soil. The party questioned Nigeria's role, asserting that it should not be "mere informants" but should lead such operations, and demanded clarifications on operational control, casualties, and the specific identity of terrorists killed. The ADC warned that permitting external forces is "not sustainable" and "undermines Nigeria’s strategic interests," cautioning against confusing "collaboration" with "myopic surrender." They also raised concerns about the U.S. framing the war against terror in religious terms, which they believe endangers national unity, and criticized the President's silence, noting that Nigerians learned of the strike primarily from the U.S. President's social media.

Renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, urged the Federal Government to immediately discontinue U.S. military intervention, warning that it would attract anti-U.S. forces and turn Nigeria into a "theatre of war." He advised seeking assistance from China, Turkey, and Pakistan instead, arguing that fighting terrorism should not be outsourced to foreign powers with "questionable motives" and "stained hands." Gumi expressed concern that the U.S. justification of "protecting Christians" could polarize Nigeria along religious lines and infringe on its sovereignty. He questioned the strategic intent of attacking Sokoto, a predominantly Muslim area, on Christmas Eve, while a greater threat existed elsewhere, and alleged that terrorism is often "manufactured and sustained by the same people claiming to fight it." These strong views led Catholic Author Deacon Nick Donnelly to call for Gumi's arrest and prosecution for "crimes against humanity."

Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, representing Sokoto South, urged caution regarding reliance on foreign military interventions, citing their mixed results globally. While calling for calm and support for security agencies, he stressed that Nigeria must be circumspect in its engagements, ensuring "no hidden agenda is pursued." Tambuwal clarified that the strike occurred in Tangaza LGA, not Tambuwal LGA, and warned against politicizing or religiously interpreting the operation, emphasizing that terrorism threatens all Nigerians. He suggested that any international collaboration must be comprehensive, extending to other terrorism-prone states like Borno, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna, to avoid singling out Sokoto, given that terrorism is a transnational challenge.

Further criticism came from Ladan Salihu, former Director-General of FRCN, who alleged that the U.S. airstrike in Jabo village "failed to hit its target and was not accurate." Citing a local lawmaker, Salihu reported that missiles landed in an open field, 300 meters from a hospital, with no casualties or damage to homes, in an area that had seen no terrorist activity in 2025. He questioned the strike's purpose, suggesting it might have been for headlines rather than eliminating real threats, and demanded an investigation from Nigeria's Defence Headquarters.

The Big Tent Coalition, led by Prof. Pat Utomi, condemned the Nigerian Federal Government's "glaring hypocrisy, incoherence and lack of strategic clarity." They pointed out the contradiction of the Presidency attacking Peter Obi for suggesting U.S. military assistance, only for the administration to then endorse and confirm foreign military action. The coalition demanded an immediate apology to Obi and criticized the government's "disorganised and belated communication" on such a grave matter, especially when the U.S. President announced the strike directly while Nigerians were left with fragmented confirmations. They called for discipline and coherence in government communication and for President Tinubu to personally address the nation on foreign security cooperation.

Conversely, the Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, strongly supported the joint airstrikes, calling them "timely, necessary and decisive" and a "critical turning point" after years of persistent insecurity. Afenifere argued that the involvement of the United States should be acknowledged rather than criticized, stating that the "vacuum created by decades of ineffective governance" necessitated collaboration with capable international partners. The group stressed that "true sovereignty is measured not by rhetoric but by the capacity to protect citizens," prioritizing the lives of Nigerians and national peace over political sentiments. The Sokoto State Government also welcomed the joint airstrike, confirming no civilian casualties and reaffirming its commitment to collaborating with global stakeholders to curb terrorism, while urging residents to cooperate with security agencies.

In conclusion, the December 25, 2025 U.S. airstrikes in Sokoto, conducted in coordination with the Nigerian government, have sparked a multifaceted debate across Nigeria. While some view it as a necessary and decisive action to combat persistent terrorism, others perceive it as an erosion of national sovereignty, a consequence of government incompetence, and a potentially dangerous precedent for Nigeria's future strategic interests. The incident has highlighted deep divisions over foreign military involvement, the communication strategy of the Nigerian presidency, and the long-term implications for national unity and security.