On Thursday, the United States launched a coordinated military strike on suspected Islamic State (ISIL) militants operating in Nigeria’s northwest, following an official request from the Nigerian government. Former U.S President Donald Trump announced the attack through Truth Social, presenting it as a direct military response to extremist activity. Trump alleged that the militant group had committed violence affecting Christian communities, but Nigerian authorities have repeatedly emphasized that armed insurgent factions in the country have targeted civilians from multiple religious groups.
U.S Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed that the operation took place in Sokoto State and was carried out alongside Nigerian security units. AFRICOM stated that several ISIL operatives were killed. A previous AFRICOM post referencing the Nigerian request on X was removed shortly after publication, before the location was formally clarified.
Earlier in October, Trump warned that Christian communities in Nigeria were facing growing security threats and suggested that military intervention could be considered if violence continued. International reports also noted that the U.S had been running surveillance flights across wide areas of Nigeria since late November as part of expanded intelligence support for counterterror operations.
Nigeria and U.S Expand Counterterror Coordination
Nigeria’s foreign ministry later affirmed that the strike was part of ongoing strategic cooperation with the United States, which includes intelligence exchange and joint operational planning against extremist camps. The ministry stated that air operations had resulted in accurate hits on insurgent targets in the northwest region. A Pentagon-released video appeared to show at least one projectile launched from a naval platform, while U.S defense officials said the strike focused on multiple known militant camps.
U.S Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly thanked the Nigerian government for its collaboration and signaled that additional operations could follow. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s leadership stressed that national security challenges remain complex, and that claims of persecution should not overshadow the country’s efforts to uphold religious freedom. President Bola Tinubu, in a Christmas address, urged peace between communities of different beliefs and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting all citizens from extremist violence.
On the same day the strike was announced, police in Nigeria’s northeast reported a separate bombing incident at a mosque that caused casualties and injuries. Nigerian leaders responded by reinforcing calls for unity and continued international support to counter violent extremism.
Trump released his statement on Christmas Day while staying at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida. The U.S military also recently carried out large-scale strikes on Islamic State positions in Syria following threats against U.S personnel, marking a continued pattern of overseas counterterror operations.