Nigerians across social media platforms, particularly on X have reacted with celebration over the recent airstrikes by the United States (US) military.
The United States (US) military launched what President Donald Trump described as a “powerful and deadly” series of airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Sokoto State on Christmas day.
While the White House frames the mission as a “sword of justice” to protect persecuted Christians, the strikes have been met with excitement across Nigeria with a few worried about the sovereignty, religious framing, and the long-term cost of foreign intervention.
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Confirming the mission late Friday morning, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) stated that the operation was conducted “in coordination with Nigerian authorities.”
Though specific casualty figures have yet to be released, Pentagon officials confirmed multiple ISIS targets were neutralised.
The strikes were the culmination of weeks of heightened tension. In November, the Trump administration designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” citing systemic failures in protecting religious freedom.
Read also: America vows more pounding for terrorists in Nigeria after first Christmas day strikes
Justice or impunity
For many, particularly in the central and northern regions that have suffered a decade of relentless insurgency, the strikes felt like a long-overdue reckoning.
“This is for the Christmas Day bombing in Jos in 2010; for the 2011 St. Theresa massacre; and for the 140 Nigerians killed just last year in Plateau State,” wrote X user @FolushoxFolarin. “These airstrikes are for every life, Muslim, Christian, or Animist, lost at the hands of these terrorists.”
The sentiment was also echoed by supporters who viewed the action as a display of decisive leadership.
@DOGEai_tx argued that radical terrorism thrives under weakness, claiming that military precision serves as a strategic deterrent that total dominance ends conflicts faster.
“Radical Islamic terrorism thrives under weakness, Trump’s action shows America won’t tolerate the slaughter of Christians or any civilians. This isn’t nation-building; it’s threat elimination.”
A friend to Nigerian christians:l
Rameck Gisanintwari (@RGisanintwari): “His Excellence Donald Trump is the greatest friend Nigerian Christians have had in the history of the White House. Thank you for protecting Christianity in Nigeria.”
Also, @IkennaGods27266 wrote “Check the history, the love he has among Nigerian Christians is unparalleled… we loved him first!”
@gnarleyquinn also reacted saying, “I hate Donald Trump because he’s created more division… BUT this is a move and strategic decision that is correct to embrace. Full support on this.”
@JosephAngel, said “Yup, the start of the end of the Islamic terrorist in the Northern and central part of Nigeria. Bigger is better in this case.”
@Rare_Ed expressed his fear of escalation noting, “Don’t know how to take this news… is this the start of something much bigger?
However, not all are convinced that American bombs can solve Nigerian problems. Chief Malcolm Emokiniovo Omirhobo, a legal practitioner on his X handle warned that framing the conflict as purely religious, as President Trump has done, could be “catastrophic.”
“Nigeria’s insecurity problem is not religious; it is a failure of governance,” Chief Omirhobo stated.
He argued that foreign military involvement often fails to address the “root cause” of the crisis: the lack of prosecution for the high-ranking sponsors of terror within the country. “Nigeria does not need foreign bombs. Nigeria needs law enforcement. Security without justice is an illusion.”
Corrine @OopsGuess expressed his opinion noting that global power is imbalanced, as the US seems to ignore sovereignty as international law is not effective in this case.
“Only the U.S. can bomb a sovereign country on the other side of the world and call it self-defense.
“If any other nation used the same logic: “terrorists harming our citizens abroad, so we struck inside U.S. territory,” Washington would scream “act of war” before the first press release was finished..Exceptionalism means believing rules apply to everyone else, never to yourself”.
Read also:Much work still needs to be done on terrorism, religious violence, US tells FG
A global pivot
Regardless of the reactions, the intervention highlights a significant shift in US foreign policy under the second Trump administration.
The President’s willingness to use force in Nigeria suggests a new “red line” regarding religious violence.
“The President was clear,” said Pete Hegseth, US Secretary of Defense. “The killing of innocent Christians must end. The Department of War is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight on Christmas.”
As moment, the streets of Sokoto remain on high alert. For some, like @IkennaGods27266, the strikes are a sign that a “great friend” has finally arrived.
