The United States military launched a series of coordinated missile strikes against Islamic State targets in northwestern Nigeria on Christmas Day, marking a major American involvement in the region's decade-long battle against extremism. The operation, authorised by President Donald Trump, targeted two militant camps in Sokoto State near the border with Niger.
President Trump announced the strikes late Thursday evening through his social media platform, Truth Social, framing the military action as a direct response to what he described as a systematic campaign of violence against Christian communities.
"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," Trump wrote. He added that he had previously warned the group that there would be "hell to pay" if the killings did not cease.
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth echoed the President’s sentiment on social media, stating that the "killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria must end" and warning that there is "more to come" as the military remains ready to act.
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) stated that the operation was conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities. Initial assessments indicate that "multiple" terrorists were killed in the precision hits, though specific casualty figures have not yet been released.
"Our goal is to protect Americans and to disrupt violent extremist organisations wherever they are," said General Dagvin Anderson, commander of AFRICOM, in an official statement. He emphasised that the command is working with regional partners to increase counterterrorism cooperation.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the strikes, describing them as "precision hits on terrorist targets" that resulted from structured security cooperation. However, Nigerian officials have historically pushed back against the narrative that the violence is exclusively religious, noting that extremist groups frequently target both Muslims and Christians.
"Terrorist violence in any form, whether directed at Christians, Muslims or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security," the ministry said in a statement released shortly after the operation.
This operation represents the first time the U.S. has conducted direct missile strikes in Nigeria under the current administration. It follows a similar surge in American military activity elsewhere, including recent strikes against ISIS affiliates in Syria and Somalia.
