Residents of Sokoto in northern Nigeria are entering the holy month of Ramadan with a mixture of unease and hope following rare US military strikes carried out in the state late last year. The operation, conducted on December 25, targeted suspected extremist hideouts in Tangaza district, according to Nigerian officials.
For many in Sokoto, a predominantly Muslim region that has largely avoided the intense insurgent violence seen elsewhere, the air raids were an unfamiliar and unsettling development.
Faith and leadership at the center of Ramadan
Sokoto holds particular religious significance as the seat of Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar, widely recognized as the spiritual leader of Nigerian Muslims. Each year, he traditionally announces the start of Ramadan, the month-long period of fasting observed by Muslims worldwide.
At the Abu Hurairah central mosque in the state capital, worshippers gathered in large numbers ahead of the fasting season. Despite high temperatures, families filled the prayer halls, listening to sermons that focused on unity, generosity and peaceful coexistence.
Local religious leaders encouraged the faithful to use Ramadan as an opportunity to strengthen community bonds and reduce tensions heightened by recent security events.
Shock over unexpected military action
The US strikes were described by Nigerian authorities as targeting key elements associated with extremist networks. Reports indicated that the sites were believed to be linked to factions aligned with the Islamic State’s regional branch, though analysts remain divided over the extent of those connections.
For many residents, the proximity of the operation—less than 80 kilometers from the state capital—was alarming. Some recalled previous periods of unrest tied to Boko Haram, but emphasized that such incidents have been rare in Sokoto compared to other northern states.
Daily life continues amid economic strain
Despite the security concerns, city life remains active. Markets are crowded as families prepare for Ramadan, and evening streets stay busy with shops open late into the night.
The state government has introduced limited relief measures ahead of the fasting period. Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto recently announced food distributions and cash assistance for vulnerable households, particularly those affected by regional banditry.
However, economic hardship remains widespread. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, more than 90 percent of people in the broader region were living below the poverty threshold in 2022.
As Ramadan approaches, many in Sokoto express cautious optimism that the spiritual season will usher in a period of calm, offering both emotional respite and renewed calls for lasting stability in northern Nigeria.
