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US strikes hit militant camps in remote Nigerian region
Residents of Sokoto state's Tangaza district describe shock and fear after American missiles struck Islamist militant bases on Christmas night, targeting a group authorities link to Islamic State (IS) factions in the Sahel.
Militants' grip on border communities
The group, known locally as Lakurawa, has controlled parts of Nigeria's northwest for years, operating from hidden camps near the Niger border. Dressed in camouflage and bright turbans, its fighters move swiftly on motorbikes across the rugged terrain, enforcing strict Islamic rules on villages like Nukuru-a hamlet of 40 mud houses where donkeys outnumber vehicles.
Locals, most of them moderate Muslims, say the militants arrived from Mali and Niger, presenting themselves initially as protectors. But their rule quickly turned oppressive, banning music, imposing taxes, and punishing dissent with floggings or livestock theft. A farmer who requested anonymity told the BBC the group's fighters pass through his village daily, speaking Fulfulde among themselves but Hausa with residents.
Aftermath of the airstrikes
On Thursday night, explosions rocked two Lakurawa camps, shaking homes in Nukuru. A 70-year-old villager described roofs tearing and "things falling from the sky" in a barrage that lasted hours. The BBC, escorted by police, visited the area on Saturday but could not reach the strike sites due to security risks, including the threat of landmines.
Witnesses reported seeing militants flee on motorbikes shortly after the attack, carrying luggage but no bodies. A farmer said 15 motorcycles, each carrying three fighters, sped through his community as the group urged others to evacuate. US President Donald Trump ordered the strikes, citing the group's "vicious killings" of Christians, though Nigeria's foreign minister emphasized the operation was "joint" and not tied to religion.
Government absence fuels militant control
The region's isolation has allowed Lakurawa to operate with impunity. Tangaza lacks paved roads, schools, or hospitals, and Nigerian police rarely patrol the area, citing insufficient firepower to confront the heavily armed group. Villagers say the militants act as de facto rulers, collecting taxes and recruiting locals-some as informants, others to trade supplies.
"We cannot live freely," said a young resident of Nukuru. "Even playing music on your phone can get you punished." The group's strict interpretation of Sharia law has deepened fear, though some fighters have married into border communities, keeping their families separate from the camps.
History of violence and crackdowns
This is the second Christmas Day strike targeting Lakurawa. In 2024, Nigeria's military bombed camps near Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa, killing around 10 civilians. A month later, the government designated the group a terrorist organization, accusing it of cattle rustling, kidnappings, and attacks on officials. The designation granted authorities broader powers to dismantle the group.
Despite the strikes, villagers doubt the militants will be defeated. "They move fast and know the land," said one farmer. "If the government doesn't stay, they'll come back."
Uncertain future for border communities
For now, Nukuru's residents remain trapped between militant rule and the fallout of airstrikes. While they hope the US-Nigerian operation weakens Lakurawa, many fear retaliation or a resurgence. "We just want peace," said the elderly villager. "But no one is coming to help us."
