Former senator and human rights activist, Shehu Sani, has endorsed First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s support for the United States’ airstrikes against terrorist groups in Sokoto State, describing her stance as justified.

Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the Senate from 2015 to 2019, questioned the ongoing criticism against Mrs. Tinubu, calling the December 2025 airstrikes a “welcome development” in the fight against terrorism in the northwest.

Speaking via his X handle on Tuesday, he urged the Nigerian Air Force to conduct further operations against insurgents.

“The December air strikes against bandits and terrorists in the North were a welcome development. More strikes by our Air Force are needed against those mass murderers, rapists, and kidnappers,” Sani wrote.

He added, “What Senator Remi said is right. I don’t know why some people are attacking her in view of the heinous atrocities of those terrorists.”

The airstrikes, which took place on December 25, 2025, targeted Islamic State (IS) militants in Sokoto State near the Niger border and were coordinated with the Nigerian government. U.S. Africa Command reported the strikes eliminated multiple militants, though some sources suggested parts of the attacks may have struck unoccupied areas.

During a visit to Washington, D.C., last week, First Lady Tinubu described the U.S. intervention as a “blessing” and expressed hope for expanded collaboration on security issues, including intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism measures.

“The intervention of the U.S. was quite a welcome development. Nigeria looks forward to greater collaboration with the United States on security issues, and we expect there will be more,” she said.

Her remarks come amid scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers over religious violence in Nigeria, with former President Donald Trump having previously designated the country as one of particular concern.