US airstrikes in Nigeria ignite fear among residents after attacks on Islamic State positions: Video
In the aftermath of US airstrikes on Islamic State positions in Sokoto State, residents endured a night of fear and confusion.
The strikes, ordered by President Donald Trump on Thursday, December 26, were carried out in response to reports that militants had carried out mass killings of Christians in the area.
“This is an unfortunate situation. We all had a sleepless night due to fear of the unknown, especially after witnessing how the bomb landed, broke into pieces, and caught fire. Our community is currently in a serious and distressing condition,” said Bashar Jabo, a local business owner. “By God’s mercy, the explosive did not land in our houses but fell into the bush. This is something we have never witnessed in this country until today, in the Jabo Community of Tambuwal LGA,” added Malam Aliyu Jabo, a community leader.
Footage from the site shows police cordoning off the landing points, marking craters, and collecting debris while residents observed the damage. “This is the exact spot where the bomb first landed before bouncing and breaking into pieces, which caused the flames.
It created a large crater, though it now appears smaller due to people visiting the site. Some children even picked up fragments of the bomb, while the remaining debris has been taken by the military,” said eyewitness Lukuman Myhammad. Authorities confirmed that security and emergency teams remain on alert to prevent further incidents and to ensure residents’ safety.
The US strikes, reportedly conducted by the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) at the request of Nigerian authorities, form part of ongoing operations against Islamic State factions in Nigeria, which have been linked to targeted killings and attacks on civilians, particularly Christians.
The Nigerian Foreign Ministry confirmed the strikes early Friday, describing them as part of “structured security cooperation” aimed at countering the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism.
Nigerian authorities stressed that militant groups target people of all faiths, and that the strikes are part of broader efforts to stabilise the region following a national security emergency declared in November. The Pentagon later clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that the strikes were conducted “in coordination with Nigerian authorities,” amending an earlier post.
In November, President Trump had threatened to withdraw US aid and intervene directly in response to the alleged “mass slaughter” of Christians, which the Nigerian government has denied. According to international reports, more than 7,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria in the first half of 2025, mainly in the northern Middle Belt.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
