Reporting by BusinessDay indicates a sharp rise in attacks across northern Nigeria following recent United States-backed airstrikes targeting Islamic State-linked militants in Sokoto State. Between late December 2025 and the first days of 2026, at least 47 deaths and 35 abductions have been documented.
The violence has spread across Adamawa, Zamfara, and Kebbi states, with local leaders reporting nighttime raids on vulnerable villages. Despite the tactical success of the airstrikes, the immediate aftermath has seen bandit groups and Boko Haram remnants intensify their operations against civilian targets.
The Cable confirmed these developments, reporting that ‘attacks intensify across northern Nigeria after U.S. strikes’ as insurgents regroup. In response, the Defence Headquarters issued a warning to civilians, stating: ‘We do not expect civilians to pick up or keep such materials,’ referring to unexploded ordnance found at strike sites.
Echotitbits take: While international military support provides a technological edge, it often triggers ‘asymmetric’ retaliation. The Nigerian military must pivot from strike-based operations to ground-level community protection to prevent these ‘revenge’ cycles from displacing more thousands.
Source: Chosun — https://www.chosun.com/english/world-en/2025/12/27/PNB7UGLHP5AQVEOKNB6ZTUFITE/
Chosun January 3, 2026
Photo Credit: Chosun
