Northern Christian elders back US airstrikes against terrorists in Nigeria

The Chairman of the Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF), Elder Sunday Oibe, has defended the reported involvement of the United States military in operations against terrorist groups in Nigeria, describing opposition to such support as misplaced.

Oibe said the country is grappling with a severe security emergency and must embrace any genuine assistance aimed at ending insurgency, kidnapping and terrorism.

“There’s no gain saying that Nigeria needs help to curb this madness of insurgency, kidnapping and terrorism troubling the soul of this nation,” he said.

He stressed that foreign support should be acceptable once it is carried out with the knowledge and consent of the Nigerian government.

“In whatever way this help comes, as long as the Nigerian government is in the know, it is a welcome development,” he stated, adding that Nigerians had “been bleeding for far too long because of the activities of these criminal bandits, whom I prefer to call enemies of humanity”.

Questioning critics of foreign military involvement, Oibe asked why anyone would oppose efforts to eliminate terror groups responsible for the deaths of innocent citizens.

“Why should any sane mind be against rooting out these criminals by whatever means necessary?” he asked, recalling the recent bombing of worshippers inside a mosque in Maiduguri.

He argued that the origin of support was irrelevant, provided it helped restore peace.

“Whether it is American, Indian, or Togolese support, it should be welcomed. Nigerians simply want to live freely and go about their daily activities without fear,” he said.

His comments come amid nationwide debate over reported US airstrikes, with concerns raised about sovereignty. However, Oibe insisted that protecting lives must take precedence.