Story: The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for what it described as improving security across the country, noting that the 2025 Christmas season was largely peaceful.

President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, spoke after a courtesy visit by the association’s leadership to the residence of President Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in Abuja, to felicitate with the First Family during the Yuletide.

Okoh said the visit was also an opportunity to appreciate the Federal Government’s efforts in governance, particularly its concern for the welfare of the poor, national development, and the strengthening of peace and security.

According to him, the calm experienced during the Christmas celebrations marked a significant departure from previous years, when the festive season was often overshadowed by violent attacks on places of worship.

“This Christmas is remarkable,” Okoh said. “For the first time in many years, we did not receive distress calls in the middle of the night about attacks on churches. That is a testimony worth acknowledging, and we pray it is sustained.”

He added that CAN was encouraged by what it sees as renewed commitment by the Tinubu administration to safeguarding lives and property, stressing that such progress should be consolidated.

The CAN president also reaffirmed the association’s readiness to work with the Federal Government in promoting peace, unity, and national development.

“We are here not only to felicitate with the President and the First Lady, but also to pledge our continued partnership with the government for the progress of Nigeria,” he said.

Commenting on recent international remarks on Nigeria’s security situation, Okoh said the Tinubu administration had shown responsiveness by strengthening the country’s security architecture.

While acknowledging that challenges remain, he expressed optimism about the direction of government policy, saying the administration had made a positive start.

“There is still much work to be done, but we believe the President has begun well. We hope these efforts will be sustained so Nigerians can see even greater results in the coming year,” he added.

Sokoto State Government has confirmed that Nigerian and United States forces carried out a joint airstrike on terrorist hideouts in Tangaza Local Government Area, insisting that no civilians were harmed during the operation.

The confirmation was contained in a statement released on Friday by the Director-General of Media and Publicity, Government House, Sokoto, Abubakar Bawa.

According to the statement, the operation, conducted on Wednesday, formed part of ongoing military efforts to dismantle terrorist and bandit networks operating within Sokoto State and along Nigeria’s northwestern borders.

Bawa said assessment of the operation was still ongoing, noting that full impact reports from the Joint Operations Command were being awaited.

He also addressed public anxiety over the discovery of unidentified objects near Jabo town in Tambuwal Local Government Area, explaining that investigations were still in progress.

“The situation surrounding the objects discovered near Jabo town is yet to be fully explained, as analysis by Nigeria–US military authorities is still ongoing,” the statement said.

The government, however, stressed that no civilian casualties were recorded in either Tangaza or Jabo communities.

Reaffirming its support for international security partnerships, the Sokoto State Government described Nigeria’s collaboration with the United States as vital to combating terrorism and cross-border criminal activities.

“Sokoto State welcomes cooperation between Nigeria and relevant global partners in addressing the challenges of terrorism and trans-border crimes,” the statement added.

The government said its security strategy prioritises the protection of lives and property, noting that it has consistently supported security agencies with logistics and equipment over the past two years to strengthen operations across the state.

Residents of affected areas were urged to remain calm and continue working with security agencies by providing credible intelligence to support ongoing operations.

The government also appealed to citizens to support federal and state efforts aimed at restoring peace, while calling for prayers for security personnel engaged in the fight against terrorism and banditry.

The airstrike comes amid intensified military operations across Nigeria’s North-West, as security forces increase pressure on armed groups linked to terrorism, banditry and cross-border crimes.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, on Friday reaffirmed that the recent United States military airstrikes in northwestern Nigeria did not violate the country’s sovereignty or territorial integrity.

He emphasised that the operation was fully authorised by the Federal Government.

The airstrikes, conducted on Christmas Day, targeted Islamic State militants in Northwestern Nigeria.

US President Donald Trump had earlier confirmed the strikes on his Truth Social platform, describing them as “perfect strikes” and vowing more action if militants continued attacks against Christians.

Speaking in a CNN interview, Tuggar explained that the operation was a joint effort between Nigeria and the US, carried out with the full approval of President Bola Tinubu.

“We collaborated on this attack. It was a collaborative effort between Nigeria and the US, and President Tinubu gave the go-ahead before it took place, and we don’t see it violating our sovereignty or territorial integrity, which is very important,” he said.

Tuggar stressed that Nigeria’s partnership with the US is driven solely by the need to combat terrorism and protect lives, not by any external pressure or religious motivations.

He clarified that any future deployment of US troops on Nigerian soil would be under the exclusive authority of Nigeria’s defence and security institutions.

“These are operational issues that would have to be considered by our military and security agencies,” he said.

The minister also highlighted that Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy focuses on practical results, prioritising the protection of lives and property over abstract debates.

“It is not about religion, it’s about the protection of lives and property of Nigerians and our neighbours as well,” Tuggar added.