US Strikes Demonstrate Responsible Intervention Against Impunity — Christian Body

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs (NSCEA) has commended United States President Donald Trump and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their action against ISIS-linked terrorists operating in North West Nigeria.

Reacting to the Thursday night’s US strikes on ISIS strongholds in Sokoto State in a statement signed by its secretary of the elders’ council, Prof Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, NSCEA noted the longstanding and sustained brutality, killings, abductions and destruction unleashed by radical Islamist terror groups across Nigeria, with Christians and other vulnerable civilians bearing a disproportionate burden of the atrocities.

“For years, churches have been razed, worshippers slaughtered, clergy abducted, and entire communities displaced, often with little global response commensurate with the gravity of the crimes,” it said.

The body said the US strikes conducted by AFRICOM in Sokoto State  with the approval of the Nigerian government represented a decisive and morally responsible intervention against forces that thrive on impunity, lawlessness and the blood of innocent people

It commended President Trump for his moral clarity, bold leadership and unapologetic stance against radical Islamic terrorism, particularly his willingness to publicly acknowledge and confront the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

NSCEA equally commended President Bola Tinubu for demonstrating statesmanship, courage and national responsibility by authorising cooperation with the United States in confronting terrorist threats on Nigerian soil.

“By granting approval for the joint operation and affirming Nigeria’s readiness to work with whoever is prepared to fight terrorism, President Tinubu has shown that national security, protection of lives and religious freedom must supersede political sensitivities or ideological appeasement.

“NSCEA welcomes President Tinubu’s public commitment to enshrining religious freedom and protecting Christians, Muslims and all Nigerians from violence as reiterated in his Christmas goodwill message. This commitment, when matched with decisive security action, restores confidence among faith communities that the Nigerian state recognises its constitutional duty to protect all citizens equally,” it added.