The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the north has expressed its approval of the recent U.S. airstrikes targeting terrorist enclaves in Nigeria.
President of Northern CAN, John Hayab, stated that the United States military operations conducted in Sokoto State are a positive development that should be pursued further.
In an interview on Friday, Hayab emphasized that Nigerians are weary of the ongoing violence and insecurity, asserting that any initiative aimed at ending terrorism deserves backing.
He highlighted that Nigerians desire peace and security, irrespective of their religious affiliations, and that actions against terrorists will contribute to reducing the bloodshed affecting both Muslims and Christians.
Hayab urged the United States to maintain its collaboration with the federal government until all terrorist factions are defeated.
He commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its partnership with U.S. officials to address insecurity throughout the nation.
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He stressed that this operation should not be viewed as a one-off event but should continue until the threat of terrorism is entirely eradicated.
However, the situation has elicited mixed responses. Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, an Islamic cleric based in Kaduna, opposed the U.S. strikes, labeling them an attack on Islam.
These airstrikes followed a recent decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to classify Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern due to alleged killings of Christians, which came with a warning of potential military action against terrorists in the country.
On Thursday, President Trump announced that U.S. forces had executed airstrikes on terrorist sites in northern Nigeria, marking the first direct military action by the U.S. in the region.
The strikes occurred about a month after the U.S. threatened intervention to combat terrorist violence in Nigeria.
