December 26, 2025
SUNTV Global Channel | News
Former presidential candidate and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has strongly condemned the recent United States military airstrikes on suspected Islamic State (ISIS) fighters in northwest Nigeria, describing the action as “reckless, imperialist, and extremely dangerous.”
Reacting to the development, Sowore cautioned Nigerians against celebrating the strikes, arguing that foreign military intervention within Nigeria’s borders poses serious risks to the country’s sovereignty and long-term security.
“Nobody should be rejoicing about this. This is an imperialist move on the part of Trump,” Sowore said.
While acknowledging that Nigeria could benefit from international assistance, Sowore stressed that such support should not involve direct foreign military operations on Nigerian soil.
“The U.S. could help the Nigerian military, but U.S. forces carrying out attacks inside Nigeria is extremely dangerous, reckless, and bad,” he added.
Sowore further described the incident as “a sad day for the so-called African liberation and independence,” warning that it could set a troubling precedent for external military involvement across the continent.
Trump Confirms Strike, AFRICOM Backs Operation
Sowore’s comments followed confirmation by U.S. President Donald Trump, who announced on Thursday that American forces had carried out what he described as a “powerful and deadly” strike against ISIS fighters operating in northwest Nigeria.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the targeted fighters had been responsible for the killing of “primarily innocent Christians,” claiming the violence was 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,” Trump wrote.
The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) later confirmed the operation, stating that the airstrike was conducted at the request of Nigerian authorities and resulted in the killing of multiple ISIS operatives.
In a related post on X, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s cooperation, writing, “Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation,” while ominously adding that there was “more to come.”
AFRICOM also noted that the strike occurred in what it referred to as “Soboto state,” widely believed to be a misspelling of Sokoto State.
Explosion Sparks Panic in Sokoto Community
Meanwhile, residents of Jabo village in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State were thrown into panic on Christmas night following a loud explosion that rocked the community.
Eyewitnesses said the blast occurred suddenly, after an object suspected to be explosive reportedly fell into the village, triggering widespread fear as residents scrambled for safety.
A local resident confirmed the incident, saying many villagers initially believed 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.
The U.S. military action comes weeks after President Trump disclosed that he had directed the Pentagon to begin planning for possible military operations in Nigeria, citing allegations of religious persecution.
As reactions continue to trail the airstrikes, concerns are mounting over their implications for Nigeria’s security, sovereignty, and the broader stability of the region.
— SUNTV Global Channel
