On Christmas Day, the United States launched a fusillade of air strikes on the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), an affiliate of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) operating primarily in the North. Announcing the raid, United States President Donald Trump said: “Tonight, at my direction as Commander-in-Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist scum in North-west Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!”
Before the Thursday strike that was executed at the request of the Nigerian government, the US President had warned that if the killings were not stopped, he would rain down fire on the terror groups to stop what he described as “slaughtering of Christians”. Explaining the basis for the strikes that were executed at the request of the Nigerian authorities, the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) stated in a post on X, “Lethal strikes against ISIS demonstrate the strength of our military and our commitment to eliminating terrorist threats against Americans at home and abroad”.
Now, The Real War
The US strikes on ISWAP terror cells in the North-west remain a defining moment in Nigeria’s war against terror and other forms of insecurity perpetrated by non-state actors that are deliberately engaged in undermining the country. The formation of the US-Nigeria Security working group, which is a fallout of Trump’s tweet that drew attention of the world to the killings of Nigerians, has resulted in the active participation of American forces in decimating the capacity of the terror group to challenge the Nigerian state. The spokesperson of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the US strikes were in keeping with “structured security cooperation with international partners. Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism.
“This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West. In line with established international practice and bilateral understandings, this cooperation includes the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and shared commitments to regional and global security”.
By cooperating with the US in carrying the battle to the terrorists that are reported to have several terror cells, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made it clear he is willing to seek collaboration with foreign countries to end insecurity ripping across some parts of the country. As ably captured by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Hon Mohammed Idris, during this Monday’s press conference in Abuja, the presidential declaration of a nationwide security emergency has “translated into massive recruitment into the Armed Forces and Police Force, and the deployment of trained and equipped Forest Guards to secure our forests and other vulnerable locations”. Apart from enacting “a new national counterterrorism doctrine—anchored on four critical pillars: unified command, intelligence, community stability, and counterinsurgency, the Federal Government made it clear that any group that kidnaps children and attacks farmers would henceforth be classified as a terrorist organisation.
Firming Internal Security
The year under review has seen security agencies engaged in synergy to contain the insecurity posed by criminal elements. The performance profile of our security forces in 2025 has clearly left no one in doubt that, with the political will, there is no way for those who are resolute to enthrone insecurity in our country. The inspiring leadership of the current Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Mr. Adeola Tosin Ajayi, has not only strengthened the effectiveness of the secret police, but, unlike previous DSS leaderships, has broadened the agency’s operations and subjected its operations within the ambit of the rule of law.
Tinubu is fully aware that if the storm of insecurity is contained, the prosperity of citizens is guaranteed. Therefore, the government is matching its words with actions by approving the setting up of forest guards to man the nation’s ungoverned spaces where these criminals operate without let or hindrance. When fully deployed, it is expected that these guards would collaborate with security agencies in taking over these forests and turning them into commercial ventures for the economic development of communities. There are reports that some of these attacks are direct fallouts of groups that are involved in mining activities, especially in the North. With the setting up of these forest guards, it is hoped that warring criminals would be brought to book and made to face the full wrath of the law. Tinubu is aware that if the storm of insecurity is contained, the prosperity of citizens is guaranteed.
Defining Moments
While Nigerians are set to bid 2025 goodbye in less than a week and welcome 2026, it must be said that the Tinubu-led administration demonstrated a commitment to ending the monster of insecurity by enthroning collaboration with foreign partners to end insecurity. Realising that Nigeria cannot develop amidst insecurity, the recent US strikes have sent a clear signal that the incumbent administration has a zero tolerance for terror elements whose goals are to install a reign of fright and horror and to discourage investments.
The increased security experienced in the country in 2025 has led to increased agricultural productivity as shown in the falling prices of food products. With efforts geared towards providing more boots on the ground, democratising the security architecture by engaging the people at the grassroots should serve as the final option. Amidst the clamour for 2027, it is commendable that the president is not allowing the drumbeats to distract him from ensuring that Nigerians and their property are secured. If the storm of insecurity is contained, the prosperity of citizens is guaranteed.
