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Tribal leaders in Benue State have commended United States President Donald Trump for authorizing airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) militants in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, while calling for similar operations to be expanded to the North-East and North-Central regions plagued by prolonged terrorist activities.
The strikes, which targeted ISIS camps in Sokoto State and reportedly killed multiple militants, were announced by Trump himself on social media, where he described them as a response to attacks primarily on Christian communities. The operation was conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities, marking a significant international intervention in the country’s security challenges.
Benue’s tribal leadership praised the move as a decisive action against terrorism, expressing hope that it signals stronger global support for vulnerable regions. However, they emphasized the need to extend such precision strikes to areas like Benue in the North-Central and Borno in the North-East, where communities have endured years of violence from groups including Boko Haram, ISWAP, and armed herdsmen, resulting in thousands of deaths, displacements, and farmland destruction.
The commendation comes amid heightened insecurity in Nigeria, with Benue often highlighted as a hotspot for farmer-herder clashes and militant raids. Leaders view the US involvement as a potential turning point but stress that comprehensive coverage across affected zones is essential for lasting peace.
As details of the strikes continue to emerge, with Nigeria’s government confirming cooperation through intelligence sharing, the response from Benue underscores a broader call for sustained international efforts to address the multifaceted threats facing the nation’s northern and central belts.
