On 25 December 2025, the United States launched airstrikes in northwest Nigeria, claiming to target ISIL-linked militants. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has condemned the attack, warning it marks a new wave of military imperialism in Africa.
EFF issued its statement on 26 December, calling the action a “reckless disregard” for African sovereignty and accusing US President Donald Trump of inflaming religious tensions to justify the strikes.
What the EFF said about the US strikes
According to the EFF, the airstrikes were carried out in Sokoto State and framed by Trump as a response to “vicious killings of Christians.” The party described this language as dangerous, saying it painted a misleading picture of the conflict in northern Nigeria.
“These airstrikes, conducted under the guise of counter-terrorism, represent a dangerous escalation of American military imperialism,” the EFF said.
The statement argues that religious violence in Nigeria is often used by Western leaders to build a case for foreign intervention, ignoring root causes like:
- State collapse and poor governance
- Land dispossession
- Poverty and economic hardship
- Armed banditry and local insurgencies
EFF warns of a wider Western agenda
The EFF said this latest military action fits a familiar pattern of Western intervention in Africa and the Middle East. According to the party, the term “ISIL Islamic State” has been strategically used to justify:
- Bombing campaigns
- Drone strikes
- Destabilisation of governments
- Civilian casualties with no accountability
The EFF said labelling Nigerian targets as “ISIL-linked” gives the US a free hand to act militarily, without regard for local or regional consequences.
Criticism of the Nigerian government’s response
The EFF also criticised the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for issuing what it called a “submissive” press release supporting US security cooperation. The party claims this response shows:
- A lack of sovereign leadership
- Political pressure from foreign powers
- Willingness to legitimise military action on Nigerian soil
EFF warned that African governments risk setting a precedent if they do not assert their independence when foreign powers act unilaterally.
