Niger Republic has issued a new mobilisation decree in response to the recent joint Nigeria United States airstrikes on ISIS linked camps in Sokoto State. The order, adopted by the Council of Ministers chaired by General Abdurahamane Tiani, calls citizens to help defend the country’s sovereignty amid rising regional tensions.
Tangaza Local Government Area in Sokoto, the main target of the Tomahawk missile strikes, lies on the Nigeria Niger border. Officials in Abuja and Washington have said operations against terrorists in the north are ongoing.
Under the Nigerien decree, citizens must respond promptly to call ups, comply with requisitions and report hostile foreign nationals or obstructive activities. They are also warned against spreading messages that could undermine mobilisation efforts.
Authorities in Niamey say the measure is grounded in the country’s Charter of Refoundation and defence laws, citing the need to protect territorial integrity, sovereignty, the population and vital state interests. It comes days after Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso launched a 5,000 strong joint force, the United Force of the Alliance of Sahel States, to boost counterterrorism operations and border security.
Meanwhile, the United States has resumed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance flights over the Sambisa forest in Borno State. Blogger Brant Philip wrote on X that ISR missions targeting ISWAP positions restarted after a brief pause following the Sokoto strikes, following talks between National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
In Nigeria, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume welcomed the Sokoto operation and urged that joint strikes be extended to terrorist strongholds in the North East. He listed Lake Chad, the Mandara Mountains and Sambisa forest as key ISWAP and Boko Haram “black spots” that should be targeted.
Ndume called for deeper military cooperation with the US beyond airstrikes, including training, intelligence sharing, logistics and deployment of attack helicopters to support ground troops. He also praised President Bola Tinubu for proposing the highest defence allocation in the 2026 budget, while insisting on transparency and accountability in how the funds are used.
Reacting to a recent suicide bomb attack at a mosque in Gamboru, Maiduguri, which killed five people and injured others, Ndume expressed condolences to the victims and their families.
Former Senator Shehu Sani also backed the Nigeria US partnership, rejecting claims that it violates Nigeria’s sovereignty. He argued that terrorists had already violated the country’s sovereignty through mass killings, kidnappings and destruction, and that any military action taken with government consent cannot be seen as an external breach.
Sani said Nigeria has lost hundreds of soldiers, thousands of civilians and billions of dollars over nearly two decades of conflict. He called for decisive force to “incinerate and annihilate” terrorist groups, saying prayers and leniency alone are no longer enough.
He urged Nigeria to welcome help not only from the US but also from China, Russia or African countries willing to support operations against terrorists, while stressing that the ultimate responsibility for security rests with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.
Ambassador designate Reno Omokri criticised the African Democratic Congress for condemning the Sokoto strikes. He described the party’s statement as irresponsible and accused it of failing to issue equally strong condemnations when terrorists attack Nigerians.
Omokri said the ADC was “quiet when terror strikes and loquacious when you strike terror,” questioning whose interests the party was defending. He argued that working with international partners to hit terrorist camps aligns with Nigeria’s national interest.
On the ground, Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu urged troops of 8 Division in Sokoto to sustain pressure on terrorists. During an operational visit to 248 Reconnaissance Battalion in Illela, he told soldiers to “annihilate” militants and “send them to their maker” as part of efforts to end their attacks on Nigerians.
Shaibu praised the troops for their courage, professionalism and resilience, noting that their operations have significantly improved security in their area of responsibility. He encouraged them to maintain momentum until terrorist threats in the region are fully neutralised.
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