Residents across parts of Sokoto State were jolted awake on Christmas night by loud explosions that echoed through quiet rural communities, triggering fear and confusion among families who believed they were under attack. For many locals, the blasts felt no different from previous assaults linked to armed groups that operate across northwest Nigeria. By morning, it became clear that the strikes were carried out by the United States, targeting militant elements linked to the Islamic State.
Villagers in and around Jabo town described moments of panic as the explosions tore through the night. The area, located about 100 kilometres south of Sokoto city near the Niger border, has experienced insecurity in the past but is not known as a stronghold for major armed factions. The sudden bombardment therefore, came as a shock to residents who had not experienced such violence in recent years.
“We heard a loud explosion which shook the whole town and everyone was scared,” said Haruna Kallah from Jabo.
Initial reactions pointed to fear of a local jihadist group that has previously terrorised parts of the state. Many residents assumed the blasts were another attack by Lakurawa, a group blamed for kidnappings and raids in the wider region.
“We initially thought it was an attack by Lakurawa,” Kallah said.
As the night progressed and no follow up gunfire occurred, some residents cautiously ventured outside. A group eventually made its way to a field near Barkini village on the outskirts of Jabo, where they found burning debris scattered across the ground. Only later did news spread that the explosions were linked to US military activity.
Learning the truth left many residents unsettled.
“Surprised us because this area has never been a Lakurawa enclave and we have never had any attacks in the last two years,” Kallah added.
Why were US airstrikes carried out in northwest Nigeria?
The United States confirmed it had conducted strikes against militants associated with Islamic State but did not specify which faction had been targeted. Nigeria is home to several armed groups operating under different ideological and criminal banners, many of which overlap in territory and tactics. This lack of clarity has fueled uncertainty among civilians already living under the strain of insecurity.
The strikes also unfolded against the backdrop of diplomatic tension between Nigeria and the United States. President Donald Trump has previously accused Nigeria of mass killings of Christians during ongoing conflicts. Nigerian authorities and independent analysts have strongly rejected this framing, arguing that violence affects both Christian and Muslim civilians and stems from complex security challenges including banditry, extremism, and weak governance.
Ayuba Abdulkarim, another resident of Jabo, recalled the chaos of the night.
“There was a huge explosion and everyone was terrified and thought the town was under attack from Lakurawa. Luckily no one was hurt, but fragments from the bomb caused damage to walls and roofs of nearby homes.”
How did nearby communities experience the strikes?
In neighbouring Tangaza district, residents reported more targeted attacks. According to Tukur Shehu, two strikes hit Warriya and Alkassim villages, areas believed to host Lakurawa camps used to launch attacks and hold captives. These locations have long been associated with militant activity, making them more consistent with known targets.
The region has previously seen US military involvement. In October 2020, American special forces carried out a covert operation in Tangaza district to rescue Philip Walton, a US citizen abducted from southern Niger.
While no casualties were reported from the Christmas Day strikes, the psychological impact on civilians was immediate and intense. For communities already navigating daily uncertainty, the sudden appearance of foreign military force underscored how fragile peace remains in northwest Nigeria.
By Lucky Anyanje