Nigeria, which is battling multiple armed groups, said the US strikes were part of an exchange of intelligence and strategic co-ordination between the two countries. That coup resulted in fractured relations between Nigeria and Niger, and affected their multinational military operations along the porous border. Lakurawa controls territories in Sokoto and Kebbi states, and has become known for killings, kidnapping, rape and armed robbery, Mr Samuel said. But some of the attacks blamed on Lakurawa are by the Islamic State Sahel Province, which has expanded from Niger’s Dosso region to northwestern Nigeria, according to the US-based Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project. In states such as Sokoto, the military often carries out airstrikes targeting militant hideouts and Nigeria has embarked on mass recruitment of security forces.

Source: The Guardian December 26, 2025 07:35 UTC