Spotlight on Africa: US strikes in Nigeria and fear among the African diaspora

Spotlight on Africa: US strikes in Nigeria and fear among the African diaspora

From Spotlight on Africa by RFI English

February 3, 2026 · 33 min · Season 4 · Episode 10

About this episode

The episode discusses recent US airstrikes in Nigeria and the impact on the African diaspora in the US amidst rising immigration enforcement actions.

In the episode, we examine recent US strikes in northern Nigeria and explore the experiences of the US African diaspora in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Nigeria has endured years of violence from extremist groups such as Boko Haram, but there is growing debate over whether a US intervention is the appropriate response. Meanwhile, in the US, many immigrants say they feel under threat as enforcement actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) intensify. This week, we discuss recent US airstrikes in northern Nigeria and the fact that many people of African descent feel threatened by the recent enforcement actions by ICE in many US cities. The United States launched airstrikes in northern Nigeria in late December, saying it had targeted Islamic State jihadists - at Abuja’s request - to halt the killing of Christians. However, experts have challenged Washington’s claims that Christians are being massacred in Nigeria, arguing that the narrative, promoted by sections of the American right, oversimplifies far more complex conflicts. US strikes on Nigeria set 'deeply troubling precedent' for African governance First, we talk to Isa Sanusi, from Amnesty International Nigeria , to…

People in this episode

Guest: Isa Sanusi

Topics covered

  • US strikes in Nigeria
  • African diaspora
  • immigration policies
  • extremist groups
  • US intervention
  • ICE enforcement actions

Keywords

  • US airstrikes
  • Nigeria
  • African diaspora
  • ICE
  • Boko Haram
  • Donald Trump
  • Islamic State
  • immigration policies

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Amnesty International Nigeria, Islamic State, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Boko Haram

Places: Nigeria, United States, Minneapolis, Minnesota

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