By RismadarVoice Media
December 26, 2025
A faction of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization – Afenifere has expressed support for the United States military airstrikes against terrorist targets in North-West Nigeria, describing the operation as timely, necessary.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Organizing Secretary of the faction, Mr. Kole Omololu, said the attack carried out on Christmas Day deserved commendation rather than condemnation, noting that terrorist groups had for years unleashed violence, destruction across several northern states.
Omololu said the group welcomed the recent confirmation by the Defence Headquarters that the joint airstrikes conducted by Nigerian and United States military forces against ISIS-linked terrorist elements were carried out with the approval of the appropriate Federal Government authorities.
“The recent confirmation by the Defence Headquarters that the joint airstrikes conducted by Nigerian and United States military forces against ISIS terrorist elements in North-West Nigeria were executed with the approval of the appropriate Federal Government authorities is timely, necessary,” the statement read.
“Afenifere unequivocally supports this decisive action, which comes after years of relentless insecurity that has held communities hostage, undermined the very fabric of the nation.”
The group argued that the involvement of the United States in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts should be acknowledged, stressing that innocent Nigerians had endured repeated attacks, abductions, destruction of property with inadequate response over the years.
“At this critical juncture, the involvement of the United States in the ongoing counter-terrorism operations deserves recognition, not condemnation,” Omololu said. “For far too long, innocent Nigerians have been subjected to relentless attacks, abductions, wanton destruction of property, while insufficient measures were taken to decisively confront these terrorist enclaves.”
Afenifere further stated that prolonged governance failures had created a security vacuum that necessitated the intervention of capable international partners who understand the urgency of Nigeria’s security challenges.
“True sovereignty is measured not by rhetoric, rather by the capacity to protect citizens, enforce the rule of law, and secure the nation’s borders,” the group said. “The lives of Nigerians and the preservation of national peace must always take precedence over political sentiment or populist critique.”
According to the statement, the coordinated military response reflects the Federal Government’s renewed commitment towards restoring safety and stability in affected regions.
The group called on Nigerians, political leaders, civil society organizations to avoid what it described as “misplaced criticism” that could undermine ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.
“Now is the time for solidarity, support, and constructive collaboration to eradicate terrorism and protect the lives of Nigerians,” Omololu said. “The courage, professionalism, decisive action displayed by both Nigerian and United States forces should be applauded.”
Afenifere reaffirmed its support for any domestic or joint security measures capable of ensuring that Nigerians live in peace, free from the threat of terrorism.
