Sowore Condemns United States Airstrikes in Northwest Nigeria, Warns of Threats to Sovereignty and Regional Stability

Former presidential candidate and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has condemned the recent United States military airstrikes on suspected Islamic State fighters in northwest Nigeria, describing the action as reckless, imperialist, and extremely dangerous. He warned that the operation poses serious threats to Nigeria’s sovereignty, national security, and regional stability.

Sowore reacted strongly to the development after confirmation that American forces carried out airstrikes targeting ISIS fighters in Sokoto State. According to him, no Nigerian should celebrate the intervention of a foreign military force conducting combat operations within the country’s borders.

“Nobody should be rejoicing about this. This is an imperialist move on the part of Trump,” Sowore said.

He stressed that while Nigeria may accept international cooperation in the fight against terrorism, such support should not involve direct military action by foreign powers. Sowore argued that intelligence sharing, military training, and logistical assistance are acceptable forms of cooperation, but foreign airstrikes undermine Nigeria’s independence and authority.

“The United States could assist the Nigerian military in many ways, but the US military carrying out attacks inside Nigeria is extremely dangerous, reckless, and bad,” he stated.

Sowore further described the incident as a dark moment for Africa, saying it reflected a failure of decades of struggle for liberation and independence on the continent. He warned that allowing foreign military forces to operate freely in Nigeria could set a dangerous precedent and weaken the country’s control over its own security affairs.

“This is a sad day for the so called African liberation and independence,” he added.

The activist’s remarks followed an announcement by United States President Donald Trump, who confirmed that American forces had conducted a military strike against ISIS fighters operating in northwest Nigeria. Trump made the announcement on Thursday evening through his Truth Social platform, stating that the strike was ordered directly by him as Commander in Chief.

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist elements in northwest Nigeria,” Trump said.

He claimed that the targeted fighters had been responsible for the killing of innocent civilians, particularly Christians, at levels he described as unprecedented in recent history. Trump warned that his administration would not hesitate to take further action if such attacks continued.

“I previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be serious consequences, and tonight there were,” he said.

The United States Africa Command, also known as AFRICOM, confirmed the airstrikes in a statement posted on X. According to the command, the operation was carried out at the request of Nigerian authorities and resulted in the death of multiple ISIS fighters. AFRICOM added that the strike was part of ongoing efforts to degrade terrorist networks operating in the region.

In a related post, United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth expressed appreciation for the cooperation of the Nigerian government and hinted that further military actions could follow, although no additional details were provided.

AFRICOM later clarified that the strike took place in Sokoto State, after an earlier reference appeared to misspell the name of the state. The command did not disclose the exact location or casualty figures resulting from the operation.

The US military action comes weeks after President Trump disclosed that he had directed the Pentagon to begin planning for potential military operations in Nigeria. This followed claims of increased attacks on Christian communities and concerns about the activities of ISIS affiliated groups in parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the airstrikes coincided with reports of panic in parts of Sokoto State. Residents of Jabo village in Tambuwal Local Government Area were thrown into fear on Christmas night after a loud explosion rocked the community. Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred suddenly and caused residents to flee their homes, believing they were under attack.

According to a local resident, an object suspected to be an explosive fell into the area, producing a loud blast that echoed across the village.

“It happened suddenly in the night. The explosion caused serious fear, but thank God it did not land among people,” the resident said.

Although no casualties were reported in the village incident, the event heightened tensions and raised concerns about the impact of foreign military operations on civilian populations. Security agencies have yet to provide full details on the cause of the explosion or whether it was directly linked to the airstrikes.

As investigations continue, Sowore has maintained his position that Nigeria must take full responsibility for its security challenges without relying on foreign military intervention. He warned that external involvement could complicate the fight against terrorism and expose civilians to greater risks.

The development has continued to generate mixed reactions across the country, with some Nigerians supporting the strikes as a necessary response to terrorism, while others share Sowore’s concerns about sovereignty, civilian safety, and long term consequences.