Nigeria has publicly cooperated with the United States in executing a Christmas Day airstrike targeting Islamic State militants, potentially averting unilateral military action threatened by President Trump. The operation, involving Tomahawk missiles launched from a U.S. Navy warship, was conducted due to the remote location being inaccessible for Nigerian forces. Despite the strike, experts express skepticism about its long-term impact on militancy, urging the U.S. to demonstrate a sustained commitment to addressing the growing violence from groups like the Lakurawa sect. This development highlights the delicate balance Nigeria must maintain between international partnerships and internal sectarian tensions, particularly regarding perceptions of religious persecution.