Niger Republic has ordered a nationwide mobilisation of its citizens following Thursday night’s joint airstrike by Nigeria and the United States on terrorist camps in Sokoto State, Nigeria.

Less than 24 hours after the attacks, Niger’s Council of Ministers convened in Niamey under General Abdurahamane Tiani and approved a decree urging citizens to participate in a general defence of the country. The ordinance calls on Nigeriens to respond to mobilisation requests, report hostile activities, and support efforts to protect national sovereignty.

The strikes targeted camps in Tangaza Local Government Area, located along the border between Nigeria and Niger, a key transit point for militants moving between the Sahel and northern Nigeria. Nigerian and US officials described the operation as a precision strike against ISIS-linked terrorist groups, with no civilian casualties reported.

According to Nigerian authorities, the airstrike involved GPS-guided munitions deployed from drones and naval platforms, aiming to disrupt foreign fighters and dismantle terrorist infrastructure.

The United States has also resumed intelligence and surveillance operations in the Sambisa Forest, northeastern Nigeria, another hotspot for militant activity, following the Sokoto operation.

Niger’s decree comes amid regional security concerns, as Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso recently established a joint military force — the United Force of the Alliance of Sahel States (FU-AES) — to strengthen border security and counter terrorism.

Back in Nigeria, security officials, including Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, have emphasised continued operations to eliminate terrorist threats while safeguarding civilians. Meanwhile, some political actors have raised concerns over foreign military involvement, calling for careful coordination to preserve sovereignty.

The Sokoto airstrike marks a new phase in regional counter-terrorism collaboration, reflecting the growing urgency among West African nations to curb militant activities along their shared borders.