The President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), Rev. Dr. Israel Adelani Akanji, has said that the recent air strikes on identified bandits’ hideouts by U.S. forces have brought significant relief to Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and banditry.

Akanji made the statement while speaking to journalists in Gombe on Friday at the end of the 2026 International General Workers Conference, North III, held at First Baptist Church, Jekadafari, Gombe.

Asked whether the U.S. strikes had changed Nigeria’s security situation, he said: “Definitely, yes. I see the U.S. strike as God’s intervention. I do not see it as anything else; I see it as God’s intervention.”

He explained that he did not regard the action as an intervention for Christians or the Church alone, but for the entire country.

“It is a great intervention for our country, Nigeria, where our leaders have reached a level where they cannot act decisively,” he said.

According to him, “Imagine a former Attorney General being arraigned for several dubious acts—someone who was a custodian of the nation’s laws. Some of the allegations include the discovery of deadly ammunition in his apartment.”

He asked, “What will just one leader of a nation be able to do to such a person who has become so enriched and sophisticated?”

The NBC President added that seeking external assistance was not unusual, noting that nations often help one another.

“This is not the first time. Every nation receives help from outside. Did we not receive medical assistance during the AIDS pandemic? Did the World Health Organization not come to our aid and provide medications? Why are African countries complaining now that the United States has withdrawn support for vaccinations and other programmes, if not because we have been receiving foreign help?” he said.

He also noted, “Have we not gone to other nations to help them? Did Nigerians not go to Sierra Leone, Liberia, some Southern African countries and Sudan to assist them?”

Akanji said international collaboration neither started today nor would it end anytime soon.

“The U.S. air strike, we thank God for it because the people of the North-West, Muslims and Christians alike—have been suffering. Why should they continue to suffer in their own land? That is why we are happy,” he added.

Responding to a question on whether the strike had ended insecurity in the country, he said no one truly knew the extent of the threat before the intervention.

“Nobody really knows the level of danger on the ground. What the Americans knew, Nigerians did not even know. The places that were struck are locations many Nigerians have never been to or even heard of,” he said.

Akanji added: “Even if it is just one drop of water removed from the ocean, the ocean is no longer the same. That air strike, for me, was for the benefit of Nigeria, and we thank them for it. Whether it has reduced insecurity or not is in the hands of God, who alone can truly quantify what existed before.”

He concluded that the strike had strengthened Nigeria’s security efforts.

“At the very least, it has given more impetus and strength to our security system. They can act better now. I believe God will still bring further interventions, even if not from the U.S. Those carrying out evil in Nigeria will be defeated. They will not defeat Nigeria, in Jesus’ name,” he declared. (TRIBUNE)

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