A young Nigerian man has shared his reaction online following a fresh investigative report that exposed the activities and base of deadly ISIS-affiliated terrorists in Sokoto State. This comes days after United States President Donald Trump confirmed authorizing a military strike against the group.
Report Exposes Terrorist Camp Infrastructure and Timeline
The report, highlighted by a correspondent from Arise TV, provided critical updates on the terrorists' operations. It revealed that the group, identified as the Lakurawa terrorist faction, has been operating in the area since 2018.
According to villagers' accounts featured in the report, the terrorists had established a significant presence. They were reportedly digging a borehole and constructing a well at their base, indicating an attempt to create a permanent camp. Their crimes included destroying local farms and livestock, often waiting until crops were ready for harvest before attacking.
The Arise TV correspondent stated, "The attack by the US government on Christmas Day, the villagers confirmed, hit the target because the terrorists were moving from their base and were even very comfortable, digging a borehole and a well to make it a permanent camp."
Nigerian Man's Reaction and Gratitude to US President
The report captured the attention of a social media user identified as @jcokechukwu, who posted a video reaction. In his response, he expressed gratitude to President Trump and emphasized the success of the airstrike.
He wrote, "FINALLY: @ARISEtv is confirming that the ISIS-affiliated Lakurawa terrorist group has its operational base in Sokoto and now has incontrovertible proof that the U.S. airstrikes actually hit their targets and killed many terrorists, just as @POTUS had noted. The few who may have survived are said to be on the run. There was no so-called ‘empty field’ bombing."
He further argued that propaganda had failed in this instance, asserting that "truth must prevail" in this generation.
Mixed Public Reactions and Broader Commentary
The news and the man's reaction sparked a range of responses from other Nigerians on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
One user, @pat_smot, defended the precision of the US operation, stating, "The U.S. would not fire 12 Tomahawk missiles only to miss the target. This wasn’t a random strike. They gathered intelligence, confirmed precise coordinates, and had access to reliable satellite support."
Another user, @Olileanya007, suggested local knowledge of the terrorists' hideout, commenting, "So they don’t attack Sokoto where they hide so that they don’t draw attention to their own hideouts. Can the caliphate swear that they don’t know that these hoodlums live there? Now I know why Gumi is foaming at the mouth. Thanks Trump, more please!"
The discussion also veered into broader socio-political critiques. User @SOsunwa lamented the underdevelopment of the northern region despite its long political leadership, writing, "Can you all see how impoverished the environment is yet the North have ruled Nigeria for 49 years... Northern rulers have failed their people."
Conversely, @son_of_the_soiI accused certain media of spreading misinformation, claiming, "Media emissaries of the Fulani caliphate have been trying to convince us that the US bombs landed in open fields and no terrorists were hit."
The US airstrike in Sokoto and the subsequent confirmation of its effectiveness have ignited a significant conversation in Nigeria, touching on national security, foreign intervention, and domestic governance.
