US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that American forces had carried out “powerful and deadly” airstrikes against Islamic State militants in northwestern Nigeria, in a move coordinated with Nigerian authorities amid concerns over religious violence.
The operation, conducted in Sokoto state, targeted what Trump described as “terrorist scum” primarily attacking innocent Christians, as part of his administration’s push against radical Islamist groups.
“Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper,” Trump stated on his Truth Social platform, adding that the US military “executed numerous perfect strikes” against the extremists.
Nigeria’s foreign ministry confirmed the “precision hits on terrorist targets” in the northwest, framing them as part of ongoing security cooperation with international partners, including the United States.
Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar characterized the action as a “joint operation” aimed at “terrorists” with “nothing to do with a particular religion,” and indicated that future strikes would depend on decisions by the leadership of both nations.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s support, posting on X: “Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation. Merry Christmas!”
The strikes follow Trump’s November directive to prepare military action against jihadist insurgents in Nigeria, after designating the country as a “Country of Particular Concern” for religious freedom violations, citing thousands of Christian deaths.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has stressed religious tolerance, asserting that security issues impact people “across faiths and regions.”
His adviser Daniel Bwala echoed that jihadists have targeted individuals of all faiths or none, while welcoming US assistance but affirming Nigeria’s sovereignty in any collaborative efforts.
The US Africa Command verified the attack’s location, and the Pentagon released footage of a missile launch from a military vessel.
This marks the latest US intervention against ISIS, coming shortly after strikes on over 70 sites in Syria last week.
Nigeria has grappled with Islamist militancy for over a decade, primarily in the northeast from groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, though rights monitors note no disproportionate targeting of Christians overall.
