By Akeem Oduyoye
The Nigerian military has stepped up land and air operations in parts of the country’s north after United States President Donald Trump warned he might send American forces to Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians. The operations, ordered and carried out in the wake of Mr. Trump’s post, are aimed at disrupting extremist groups blamed for recent attacks and clashes in the region.
Mr. Trump wrote that he had told the “Department of War to prepare for possible action” and warned the US could cut all aid to Nigeria if the government failed to act. “If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now-disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” he said. “If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians.”
Meanwhile, rival insurgent groups in the north fought a bloody battle over control of territory in Abadam Local Government Area, Borno State. More than 50 fighters were reported killed after a clash on Sunday evening in the island community of Toumbun Gini, where one side — said to have launched an offensive to retake ground — was ambushed and overwhelmed. A video seen by our reporter showed bodies in a canoe and fighters chanting, indicating the attackers were driven back.
Local accounts say the attacking force used about ten high-powered boats to cross to the island, but they were met by fighters who had prior intelligence of the move. “ISWAP boats landed, but what was meant to be a surprise attack turned into a deadly trap. The first shots were decisive. JAS fighters overpowered them within minutes. ISWAP was routed,” a source said. Reporters were shown images and statements claiming that seven of the attackers’ boats were seized, three escaped with casualties, and over 50 fighters died; these claims have not been independently verified.
Separately, troops from the 135 Special Forces Battalion, Sector 2 of Operation Hadin Kai, foiled an ambush on civilians at Dutse Kura and rescued 86 people. Security forces arrested 29 people alleged to be logistics suppliers and seized an assortment of weapons, fuel and transport used to support the insurgents. In a subsequent search near Mangari, troops discovered and destroyed a makeshift camp and recovered an AK-47, magazines, ammunition belts, vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and other items. No military casualties were reported.
In another operation at Mangada, soldiers detained 29 suspected suppliers traveling to Chilaria, confiscating two pickup vans and a tricycle loaded with roughly 1,000 litres of petrol, engine oil, tyres for gun-trucks, medical supplies and food. Authorities said those arrested are being held for questioning as investigations continue.