In a statement issued on Friday, Afenifere's Organising Secretary, Kole Omololu, described the strikes as “timely and necessary.”
Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has expressed strong support for the United States military’s attack on terrorists in North-Western Nigeria on Christmas Day.
In a statement issued on Friday, Afenifere's Organising Secretary, Kole Omololu, described the strikes as “timely and necessary.”
Omololu said the actions of the US government deserved commendation, noting that terrorist groups had wreaked havoc across several northern states.
He stated, “The recent confirmation by the Defence Headquarters that the joint air strikes 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 both timely and necessary.
"Afenifere unequivocally supports this decisive action, which comes after years of relentless insecurity that has held communities hostage and undermined the very fabric of the nation. At this critical juncture, the involvement of the United States in the ongoing counter-terrorism operations deserves recognition, not condemnation. For far too long, innocent Nigerians have been subjected to relentless attacks, abductions and wanton destruction of property, while insufficient measures were taken to decisively confront these terrorist enclaves.”
The faction of Afenifere also said decades of ineffective governance had created a vacuum that invited intervention from “capable partners” who understand the urgency of the situation.
“Afenifere wishes to stress that true sovereignty is measured not by rhetoric but by the capacity to protect citizens, enforce the rule of law and secure the nation’s borders. The lives of Nigerians and the preservation of national peace must always take precedence over political sentiment or populist critique. The swift and coordinated military response demonstrates the Nigerian government’s commitment to restoring safety and stability to affected regions.”
Omololu urged citizens, political leaders, and civil society groups to resist any temptation to undermine the operations with “misplaced criticism.”
“Now is the time for solidarity, support and constructive collaboration to eradicate terrorism and protect the lives of Nigerians. The courage, professionalism and decisive action displayed by both Nigerian and United States forces should be applauded. Afenifere reaffirms its support for any measures, domestic or joint, that will ensure that Nigeria’s citizens can live in safety and security, free from the scourge of terror,” he concluded.
The remarks come after US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that American forces had carried out deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists in North-West Nigeria, warning of more attacks if militants continue killing Christians.
Trump, on his Truth Social platform, said the Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes.
The Nigerian government had also confirmed the air strikes on Friday, while the Nigerian Defence Headquarters described them as one of the most significant known instances of active US military involvement on Nigerian soil in the fight against Islamist-linked terrorists and bandits.