The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has thrown its weight behind the recent United States airstrikes on suspected terrorist elements operating in North-West Nigeria, describing the action as timely and necessary.
The group’s position followed confirmation by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) that the air operation was carried out by U.S. forces with the approval of the Nigerian government, based on shared intelligence between both countries. U.S. President Donald Trump had also confirmed on Thursday that American forces conducted strikes against terrorist targets in the region.
In a statement issued on Friday in Akure, Ondo State, and signed by its National Organising Secretary, Kole Omololu, Afenifere said persistent insecurity, including terrorist attacks, kidnappings and destruction of lives and property, made decisive military action unavoidable.
Afenifere said previous efforts to dismantle terrorist enclaves had been inadequate, allowing extremist groups to entrench themselves in parts of the country.
“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 appropriate federal authorities is both timely and necessary,” the group said.
The organisation stressed that the involvement of the United States in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts should not attract criticism, noting that the primary duty of any government is the protection of lives and property.
It attributed the prolonged insecurity in Nigeria to years of governance and security lapses, arguing that these failures created a vacuum now being filled through international cooperation.
“At this critical juncture, the involvement of the United States deserves recognition, not condemnation. For too long, innocent Nigerians have suffered attacks and abductions while insufficient measures were taken to confront terrorist enclaves,” the statement added.
Afenifere also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the joint operation, urging Nigerians, political leaders and civil society groups to support ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.
The group reaffirmed that true sovereignty lies in a nation’s ability to secure its territory and protect its citizens, pledging continued support for any domestic or joint initiatives aimed at restoring peace and security across Nigeria.
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