Former presidential candidate and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has criticised the recent United States military airstrikes on suspected Islamic State (ISIS) fighters in northwest Nigeria, describing the operation as reckless, dangerous and a threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Reacting to the development, Sowore warned against celebrating the strikes, insisting that foreign military intervention within Nigeria could have serious consequences.
“Nobody should be rejoicing about this. This is an imperialist move on the part of Trump,” he said.
Sowore acknowledged that Nigeria could receive international support in its fight against terrorism but stressed that direct military action by foreign forces on Nigerian soil was unacceptable.
“The US can assist the Nigerian military, but US forces carrying out attacks inside Nigeria is extremely dangerous, reckless and wrong,” he added.
He further described the development as “a sad day for African liberation and independence.”
Sowore’s comments followed confirmation by US President Donald Trump that American forces had launched airstrikes against ISIS-linked fighters operating in northwest Nigeria.
Announcing the operation on his Truth Social platform on Thursday night, Trump said the strikes were ordered under his authority 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 wrote.
Trump claimed the targeted group had been responsible for violent attacks, particularly against Christians, and said the action followed earlier warnings issued by his administration.
The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) also confirmed the operation, stating that the airstrike was carried out at the request of Nigerian authorities and resulted in the deaths of multiple ISIS fighters.
In a related post on X, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth thanked the Nigerian government for its cooperation, while warning that further actions could follow.
AFRICOM later clarified that the strike occurred in Sokoto State, although it was referred to as “Soboto state” in an earlier statement.
Meanwhile, residents of Jabo village in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State were reportedly thrown into panic on Christmas night after a loud explosion was heard in the area.
Eyewitnesses said the explosion occurred suddenly, with an object suspected to be an explosive falling into the community, causing residents to flee in fear.
A resident confirmed that although the incident caused widespread panic, no casualties were recorded.
“It happened suddenly at night. The explosion caused fear, but thank God it did not land among people,” the source said.
The US military action comes weeks after Trump announced that he had directed the Pentagon to begin preparations for possible military intervention in Nigeria following claims of religiously motivated killings.
