RICHMOND, Texas – Airstrikes carried out in northwest Nigeria are drawing strong reactions from Nigerian Americans in the Houston area, where one of the largest Nigerian populations outside of Africa closely follows developments in the region.
President Donald Trump said the United States launched the strikes on Christmas evening, targeting ISIS-linked militants. In a statement posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said the operation was ordered under his direction and warned militant groups to stop attacks on Christians in the region.
Nigeria’s government later confirmed the strikes were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities.
The news quickly reached families in Houston, many of whom say the conflict feels personal.
“We were all sitting around the table talking, and then the alert came on,” said Robert Nnake, a candidate for Fort Bend County Commissioners Court. “Everyone looked at their phones at the same time.”
Nnake said the conversation at his Christmas dinner shifted immediately as news of the airstrikes spread.
“For so many people in the Nigerian community, this has been a concern for a long time,” he said. “For a lot of us, it felt like relief. People were happy that something was finally happening.”
Houston is home to a large Nigerian population, making events in Nigeria deeply connected to families living here. Many say they have followed years of violence and instability in the country’s northern region, often feeling overlooked by the international community.
Hakeem Tijani, a Richmond resident, said the reaction online reflects that feeling.
“If you check online, you see a lot of Nigerians saying, ‘thank you Trump! Thank you, U.S.!” Tijani said. “It’s not that everything is fixed, but it gives people hope.”
Others echoed the idea that the airstrikes signal increased global attention.
“People feel like Nigeria can sometimes be ignored despite its size and impact,” Nnake said. “But here in Greater Houston, Nigerians are speaking up and making their voices heard.”
The conflict in northern Nigeria has been ongoing for years, and community members say the latest military action raises questions about what comes next.
“It means the world is listening,” Tijani said.
For many Nigerian Americans in Houston, the airstrikes represent more than military action. They represent recognition and hope that lasting change can finally come.