After the United States of America, in collaboration with Nigeria, launched an airstrike targeting terrorist groups in northern Nigeria, the country’s residents have reacted differently, shaped by geography or proximity to the danger and everyday realities.
The public mood, after the strike, is emerging to be a mixed bag, which reflects Nigeria’s size, diversity, and exposure to the threat.
These insights, post the airstrike was given to The High Street Journal by Dr. Adeola Yusuf, Team Lead of Platforms Africa, an Africa-focused media group based in Lagos, in an interview.
Fear in the North, Excitement in the South
Dr. Adeola Yusuf says the news of the airstrike, which was first announced by US President Donald Trump, sparked fear and anxiety in some northern communities. These are residents closer to the affected areas, and hence the strike raised concerns about safety, retaliation, and the uncertainty that often follows military action.
In contrast, reactions in southern Nigeria were markedly different. Many people welcomed the development with excitement, seeing it as a strong and decisive move against terrorist groups that have destabilised parts of the country for years.
For them, US involvement could signal seriousness and global support for Nigeria’s security efforts.
At the same time, a significant number of Nigerians across both regions appeared largely indifferent, continuing with their daily routines as though nothing had happened. Dr. Yusuf noted that in a country of over 200 million people, distance from conflict often determines emotional response.
However, despite these differences, the general public’s view, he believes, leans toward positive. Many Nigerians see the strike as a welcome development, particularly because it was carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian military, easing concerns about sovereignty and external interference.
“While the news, which was broken by US President Trump, elicited fear in some quarters in northern Nigeria, other Nigerians in the south received the news with excitement, while so many others in both divides keep living life as if nothing happened. All these depend on the locations of people, as Nigeria, a country of over 200 million people, is widely stratified into different geographical zones,” he explained to The High Street Journal.
He added, “The General view, however, is that it was a welcome development as it was carried out by the United States in collaboration with Nigeria’s military.”
Christmas Celebrations Largely Unaffected
Giving the timing of this operation, it could be perceived that the yuletide festivities would be greatly affected. But Dr. Yusuf explains that the airstrikes have so far had no noticeable impact on Christmas festivities.
The operation took place at night on Christmas Day, limiting immediate disruption. Maybe another reason for the minimal disruptions in the festivities, he reveals, is that the strikes occurred in northern areas where Christians are fewer compared to the predominantly Muslim population.
In the south, where Christians form the majority, Christmas celebrations have continued uninterrupted, with churches, homes, and public spaces maintaining the festive atmosphere.
“The airstrikes did not have any significant effect, as at this moment, on Christmas festivities, as they happened on the night of the celebration. The bombardment also happened in the north, where the number of Christians who celebrate Christmas is small compared to that of the adherents of the Islamic faith. The south, where Christians are in the majority, keeps the celebration on,” he clarified.
No Confirmed Casualties Yet
Critical to this strike is the number of casualties involved. Dr. Yusuf noted that as of Friday afternoon, there were no confirmed figures on fatalities or injuries resulting from the airstrikes.
Both US and Nigerian authorities are yet to release official numbers, and local communities have not provided independent confirmation.
“We are yet to confirm any number of fatalities or casualties. Both the US and Nigeria’s authorities are yet to give. The local people or villagers are also yet to give,” he noted.
A Nation Reacting Through Its Divides
Overall, based on the detailed account by Dr. Yusuf, the reactions to the US airstrike by our Nigerian brothers and sisters are a mixed bag depending on how deep one’s skin is in the game.
While this might offer a temporary relief to residents whose lives are tormented by the activities of these extremists, it is unclear whether these operations would be carried out consistently to totally dismantle these groups.
For now, the coordinated action against terrorism, especially with international partners, is seen as a step in the right direction, although many questions remain unanswered.
