A United States lawmaker has described recent airstrikes targeting terrorist groups in Nigeria as a critical first step toward ending the persistent killings across parts of the country.
The lawmaker, Congressman Riley Moore, made the statement while reacting to reports of coordinated airstrikes carried out against Islamic State (IS)–linked fighters operating in Nigeria. According to him, decisive military action is necessary to disrupt the operations of violent extremist groups responsible for deadly attacks on civilians, particularly in vulnerable rural communities.
Moore said the airstrikes demonstrate growing international resolve to confront terrorism in Nigeria and weaken groups that have continued to carry out killings, kidnappings, and destruction of property. He noted that while military action alone will not solve Nigeria’s security challenges, it represents an important starting point in restoring peace and protecting lives.
“This is just the first step,” the lawmaker said, stressing the need for sustained efforts, intelligence sharing, and long-term security cooperation to ensure that terrorist networks are dismantled and communities are able to live without fear.
Nigeria has for years battled multiple security threats, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the North-East, as well as banditry and other armed groups in the North-West and North-Central regions. Thousands of lives have been lost, and many communities have been displaced due to ongoing violence.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly maintained that it is working with international partners to address terrorism and insecurity, while emphasizing that the fight is against criminal and extremist elements, not any particular religious or ethnic group.
Security analysts say that while airstrikes can significantly degrade terrorist capabilities, lasting peace will depend on a combination of military action, improved governance, economic development, and community-based conflict resolution.
The latest comments by the U.S. lawmaker have sparked renewed discussion about the role of foreign support in Nigeria’s fight against insecurity and the need for a comprehensive strategy to end the killings nationwide.