Nigeria’s First Lady describes Christmas Day US airstrike on terrorists in Sokoto as a “blessing,” calls for deeper military cooperation with Washington.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on United States President Donald Trump to authorise additional US military strikes against terrorist groups and armed bandits operating in Northern Nigeria.

Speaking during an interview with Fox News on Friday while on a visit to the United States, Mrs Tinubu said Nigeria was eager for expanded military collaboration with Washington, particularly in the fight against insurgency and insecurity in the country’s northern region.

She described the Christmas Day US military airstrike targeting terrorists in Sokoto State as a “blessing” for Nigeria, saying it demonstrated America’s commitment to tackling violent extremism in West Africa.

“Nigeria is looking forward to collaboration,” Mrs Tinubu said. “We are expecting that there will be more.”

When asked specifically about the Christmas Day strike reportedly ordered by President Trump, the First Lady responded: “It was quite a blessing.”

Mrs Tinubu had earlier attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington on Thursday, an event that brought together political leaders, faith figures, and policymakers.

Northern Nigeria has faced years of deadly attacks linked to jihadist insurgents, bandits, and kidnappers, with Christian communities often reporting targeted violence. Calls for international military support have intensified amid worsening security conditions in the region.