More US Airstrikes to Come on Terrorist Camps in Nigeria, Says Congressman Riley Moore

Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa

Washington & Abuja — U.S. Rep. Riley Moore has signaled that additional American airstrikes targeting terrorist camps in Nigeria are likely as part of an expanded counter-terrorism effort, following coordinated operations against extremist hideouts in the country’s northwest.

Moore, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, publicly affirmed that recent airstrikes conducted in conjunction with Nigerian authorities “are just the first step” in a sustained campaign to degrade extremist networks operating within Nigerian territory and prevent future attacks on civilians, particularly during vulnerable periods. His remarks come amid heightened attention in Washington to security conditions in Nigeria and the broader Sahel region. 

The U.S. strikes, launched in late December, targeted Islamic State-linked camps — including fighters associated with Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and allied cells — in Sokoto State’s forested regions. According to official statements, precision-guided munitions fired by U.S. forces destroyed militant infrastructure and disrupted planned operations that intelligence assessments suggested could have threatened Nigerian communities around the Christmas period. Nigerian authorities underscored that the actions were undertaken with their consent and shared intelligence, emphasizing mutual cooperation rather than unilateral intervention.

Moore and other U.S. lawmakers have framed the strikes as part of a broader strategy to enhance Nigeria’s capacity to combat terrorism and ensure civilian protection, especially in areas where insurgent violence has inflicted severe harm on local populations. In public comments, the congressman noted that the airstrikes helped avert potential high-casualty attacks — including scenarios reminiscent of previous years when militant groups targeted religious gatherings — underscoring the need for sustained pressure if Nigeria’s security environment is to improve. 

The December operation marked one of the most visible instances of direct U.S. military action on Nigerian soil in recent years. Both governments indicated that the strikes resulted from structured security cooperation, including intelligence sharing and operational planning, reflecting deepening bilateral ties in the face of persistent threats from domestic and transnational militant groups. Nigeria’s government confirmed that President Bola Tinubu approved the U.S. role, noting that coordination with American forces was critical to maximising operational impact while respecting sovereignty. 

Defense analysts in Abuja and Washington have interpreted Moore’s statements as an indication that additional air operations — potentially involving long-range precision weapons and unmanned surveillance assets — could be executed in the coming months if extremist groups regroup or attempt to launch new offensives. These possibilities align with broader U.S. military strategy, which in other theatres has emphasised intelligence-driven precision strikes alongside partner-nation forces to degrade terrorist capabilities without committing large ground contingents.

Reactions inside Nigeria have been mixed. Some political and civil society voices welcomed the partnership, viewing it as necessary support against resilient insurgent factions that have long outpaced local counter-insurgency efforts. Others, including rights advocates and sovereignty proponents, raised concerns over the implications of foreign military action on Nigerian soil, urging careful oversight and transparency to ensure that civilian protections and constitutional norms are upheld.

Local civilian authorities in Sokoto State reported heightened military presence following the strikes, with Nigerian Army commanders urging vigilance and resilience among communities affected by extremist violence. Officials stressed that the strikes complemented on-ground operations by Nigerian forces under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, the country’s principal counter-terrorism campaign in the northwest.

While details on the timing, scope, and targets of further U.S. airstrikes have not been publicly disclosed, Moore’s comments suggest that Washington sees continued aerial operations as a tool to suppress militant mobility, disrupt planning cycles, and support Nigerian military efforts. Observers note that advances in surveillance and precision weapons — combined with closer intelligence collaboration — could enable periodic strikes tailored to shifting threat landscapes across Nigeria’s northeast and northwest regions.

U.S. officials, including members of Congress and defence leadership, have stressed that any future actions would be taken in coordination with the Nigerian government, seeking to balance operational effectiveness with respect for Nigerian sovereignty. Official statements have also emphasised the ultimate goal of enabling Nigerian forces to assume full responsibility for stabilising their territory over time, reducing reliance on foreign military involvement.

The ongoing strategic dialogue between Abuja and Washington — reflected in legislative and diplomatic engagements — underscores the complexity of combating terrorism in West Africa. As extremist groups adapt and exploit regional instabilities, military cooperation and tactical air operations are likely to remain central components of the shared approach to security in Nigeria and the broader Sahel corridor.

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