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Today, Friday, December 26, 2025, the focus in Nigeria is not on a "missing lunch" involving Donald Trump, but on the aftermath of a major military operation he authorized. While Trump remains in the United States, his actions have sparked intense reactions across Nigeria, particularly in the North.
Here are the specific updates regarding the local and international reactions to the Christmas Day airstrikes:
Local Reactions: Sokoto State and Beyond
1. Relief Mixed with Caution in Sokoto
Local leaders in Sokoto State, including representatives from the Sultan of Sokoto’s office and Governor Ahmed Aliyu, have expressed a cautious response.
- The "Lakurawa" Threat: Security analysts believe the strikes targeted the Lakurawa group (ISIS-Sahel), which has been terrorizing border communities in Sokoto and Kebbi. While locals are relieved to see action against these insurgents, there is significant anxiety regarding collateral damage.
- Historical Context: This fear is heightened by memories of an accidental Nigerian Air Force strike in Silame exactly one year ago (December 2024), which killed 13 civilians.
2. Rejection of Religious Framing
A major point of contention is Trump's framing of the strikes as a defense of "innocent Christians." * National Response: Presidential adviser Daniel Bwala and various security analysts have pushed back, noting that the Lakurawa and other groups target both Muslims and Christians.
- Public Sentiment: Many Nigerians on social media and in the North argue that characterizing the conflict as purely religious is "dangerous" and could inflame sectarian tensions in a country already balanced between a Muslim North and Christian South.
International Diplomatic Fallout
1. China and the Senate Voice Concern
The diplomatic tension has extended beyond Nigeria's borders.
- China's Stance: Chinese diplomats have reportedly signaled support for Nigerian sovereignty, criticizing unilateral military threats and "interference" in domestic security matters.
- Nigerian Senate: Members of the National Assembly have called for a briefing on the "structured security cooperation," questioning whether the U.S. "Department of War" (Trump's term for the Pentagon) has established a permanent footprint on Nigerian soil.
2. The "Department of War" and Future Strikes
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reinforced Trump’s message, posting on X that there is "more to come." This has led to international speculation about whether this was a one-time Christmas operation or the start of a sustained U.S. air campaign in West Africa.
Where is the President?
To clarify the "lunch" aspect: President Trump spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. He was photographed pumping his fist at a Christmas Eve dinner, appearing in high spirits. There are no reports of him being in Nigeria, though his presence is felt heavily through these military maneuvers.
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