The decision to support military action is never taken lightly. Yet in the face of relentless terror and mounting civilian casualties, inaction has proved far more costly.
The news of the recent American air strikes did not arrive with celebration. It came with silence, grief and difficult questions.
For families who have buried loved ones taken by terror, there is no comfort in the sound of fighter jets. Yet for communities that have lived for years under constant fear, the strikes represent something many have not felt in a long time: reassurance that they have not been abandoned by the world.
BerexNews supports the air strikes not out of any affection for war, but because prolonged inaction has proved far more deadly.
Religious leaders have spoken from places of conscience and compassion, and their voices deserve respect. Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah reminded the nation that “violence cannot defeat violence” and urged leaders to remember the words of Christ: “Put your sword back in its place.” He warned that society is raising “children turned into demons full of hatred” and cautioned that without moral renewal, Nigeria risks losing its humanity.
These words are deeply human and morally compelling.
Yet they do not erase the pain of villages emptied by terrorist attacks, churches and mosques reduced to rubble, or children dragged from their beds into captivity.
Morality must also speak for those whose voices have been permanently silenced.
From Maiduguri, where the scars of terror remain etched into daily life, Auxiliary Bishop John Bogna Bakeni offered a different but equally honest perspective. He described the strikes as “long overdue” and welcomed the Federal Government’s openness to international assistance in the face of overwhelming insecurity.
This is not the voice of one eager for war, but of a leader who has watched his people endure unspeakable suffering for far too long.
Father Moses Aondover Iorapuu of Makurdi described the strikes as “pre-emptive” and warned that the persecution of Christians in Nigeria has become institutionalised. He spoke of extremist ambitions to impose an Islamic state on the country and cautioned that delay only emboldens those who kill without mercy. His fears mirror those of many communities who feel increasingly exposed and abandoned.
Opposing voices must also be heard. Sheikh Ahmad Gumi rejected the strikes, describing them as “symbolic of a neo-Crusade war against Islam.” He argued that counter-terrorism must be conducted by “clean, holy hands” and warned that foreign involvement could further complicate the conflict.
These concerns are not without historical context. They reflect deep mistrust shaped by painful global experiences. However, clarity is essential.
These air strikes are not a war on Islam, nor an assault on any faith. Muslims have been among the greatest victims of terrorism in Nigeria, and to suggest otherwise risks dangerously conflating criminal violence with religion.
Supporting the air strikes does not amount to an endorsement of endless warfare. It is an acknowledgement that, at this moment, force became necessary to protect innocent lives and to weaken groups that have repeatedly rejected dialogue, reconciliation and peace. Prayer alone cannot stop bullets aimed at children.
The strikes will not resolve Nigeria’s security challenges overnight. Schools must still be rebuilt, justice must still be pursued, and communities must still heal. But without security, none of these aspirations can take root.
This is a painful choice, but leadership often demands painful decisions. Protecting innocent lives sometimes requires action that weighs heavily on the conscience. Peace is not born from silence in the face of terror; it is preserved when a society refuses to surrender its people to fear.
BerexNews stands with the victims. We support lawful and decisive action. And we look forward to the day when air strikes are no longer necessary—when terror has finally lost its grip on our land.
