The United States has carried out airstrikes against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria, following a request from the Nigerian government, according to U.S. and Nigerian officials.
President Donald Trump announced the operation on Thursday, saying the strikes targeted ISIS fighters accused of attacking Christian communities in the region.
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the strike was conducted in Sokoto State in coordination with Nigerian authorities and resulted in the deaths of multiple ISIS militants.
Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, confirmed the operation but rejected any religious framing of the attack, describing it as a counterterrorism effort.
The strike was a “joint operation” targeting “terrorists” and “has nothing to do with a particular religion,” Tuggar told the BBC.
He said the operation had been planned “for quite some time” and relied on intelligence provided by Nigeria. Tuggar added that further strikes were possible, depending on “decisions to be taken by the leadership of the two countries.”
In a statement posted on X, Nigeria’s foreign ministry said the strike formed part of ongoing security cooperation with Washington, including intelligence sharing and strategic coordination.
“This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West,” the ministry said.
Video released by the Pentagon showed at least one projectile launched from a U.S. warship. A U.S. defense official said the strikes hit known ISIS camps and targeted multiple militants.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth thanked the Nigerian government for its cooperation, writing on X: “More to come…”
The strike follows repeated warnings by Trump in recent months over attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria. Such attacks are common in Plateau, Benue and Kaduna states, carried out mostly by armed herders. Muslim communities have also been targeted in deadly attacks mostly in Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto.
In a Christmas message posted on X, President Bola Tinubu called for peace across religious lines.
“I stand committed to doing everything within my power to enshrine religious freedom in Nigeria and to protect Christians, Muslims, and all Nigerians from violence,” Tinubu said.
Trump announced the strike on Christmas Day while spending the holiday at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. The operation comes a week after the U.S. military carried out large-scale strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria following a suspected ISIS attack on U.S. personnel.
Assessment Continuing
The U.S. Africa Command said it was till assessing the outcome of the strikes in Nigeria.
“U.S. Africa Command is working with Nigerian and regional partners to increase counterterrorism cooperation efforts related to on-going violence and threats against innocent lives,” said Gen. Dagvin Anderson, commander, U.S. Africa Command. “Our goal is to protect Americans and to disrupt violent extremist organizations wherever they are.”
U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of the operation and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the operation will not be released in order to ensure operational security.”
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