26th December, 2025
American military forces executed precision airstrikes against Islamic State militants in Sokoto State, northwest Nigeria, following a formal request from the Nigerian government, authorities confirmed on Thursday.
President Donald Trump announced the military operation via his Truth Social platform, stating that US forces targeted ISIS fighters accused of systematic attacks on Christian communities. The strikes were carried out by US Africa Command in coordination with Nigerian security agencies.
“The United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorists in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians,” Trump wrote in his Christmas Day announcement from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
The military operation resulted in multiple militant casualties at known ISIS camps in Sokoto State, according to US Africa Command. Pentagon officials released video footage showing projectiles being launched from naval vessels during the operation.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the strikes formed part of ongoing security cooperation between both nations, involving intelligence sharing and strategic coordination against terrorist organizations. The ministry described the action as “precision hits on terrorist targets through airstrikes in the North West.”
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for its cooperation and indicated additional operations may follow. “More to come,” Hegseth stated on social media platform X.
The military intervention follows weeks of escalating tensions after Trump warned in late October that Christianity faced an “existential threat” in Nigeria. The American president had threatened military action if violence against Christian communities continued, prompting the Pentagon to conduct intelligence-gathering flights over Nigerian territory since late November.
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu issued a Christmas message calling for peace and religious harmony. “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,” President Tinubu declared.
The Nigerian government maintains that armed militant groups attack both Muslim and Christian communities across the country, emphasizing that the security challenges are complex and affect all religious groups. However, Abuja has agreed to strengthen military cooperation with Washington to combat extremist organizations.
In a separate incident on Thursday, a suspected suicide bomber detonated explosives at a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, killing at least five worshippers and injuring 35 others. The northeast region has experienced prolonged insurgency from Islamist militant groups.
The Christmas Day strikes in Nigeria follow similar large-scale US military operations against Islamic State positions in Syria last week, part of Trump’s pledge to combat ISIS activities targeting American personnel abroad.
Nigeria’s population is divided between predominantly Muslim northern regions and Christian-majority southern areas, with both communities experiencing violence from various armed groups operating across the nation.