US President Donald Trump ordered air strikes on the Lakurwa militant group in Nigeria’s Sokoto state near the Niger border on Christmas night. Lakurwa militants have long terrorized the area, living in camps near remote villages like Nukuru in Tangaza. Locals fear these well-armed jihadists, who wear camouflage and colorful turbans. They are believed to have links to Islamic State groups in the Sahel, though IS has not confirmed this. The militants control the villages during the day, collecting taxes and enforcing harsh Islamic rules. Villagers say Lakurwa fighters move swiftly on motorbikes and withdraw to camps at night. Residents describe how the missile strikes shook their homes and hope the militants’ hold weakens. Nigerian police rarely patrol the region due to security risks. Last Christmas, Nigerian forces clashed with Lakurwa militants, killing around 10 civilians. Trump described the militants as "viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians." Nigeria’s Foreign Minister stressed the operation was joint and not religion-based. Locals, mostly Muslim, want peace and relief from militant fear. Our BBC team visited Nukuru under heavy escort but avoided the strike site due to dangers like land mines. The farm-dependent villagers live in mud houses and rely on donkeys for transport. They said music and other actions contradicting Sharia law are banned by Lakurwa, and violators punished. Some militants have married into communities and recruit youths to aid their activities. The strikes mark continued efforts to dismantle Lakurwa’s terror grip in Nigeria’s troubled northwest.