In a significant international security development, the United States has conducted coordinated military strikes against Islamic State (IS) positions in northwestern Nigeria’s Sokoto state. President Donald Trump announced the operation via Truth Social, characterizing it as a ‘powerful and deadly strike’ against what he termed ‘terrorist scum’ allegedly targeting Christian communities.
The operation represents the culmination of strategic preparations initiated in November when President Trump directed military planning for counterterrorism actions in Nigeria. The U.S. Africa Command (Africom) confirmed the strikes were executed in coordination with Nigerian authorities, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressing gratitude for ‘Nigerian government support & cooperation’ in a social media post that concluded with ‘Merry Christmas!’
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar provided crucial context to the BBC, clarifying this was a ‘joint operation’ targeting ‘terrorists’ without religious specificity. He emphasized the action ‘has nothing to do with a particular religion’ and indicated potential future operations would depend on ‘decisions to be taken by the leadership of the two countries.’
The U.S. Department of Defense subsequently released an unclassified video showing a missile launch from a military vessel, providing visual documentation of the operation. Nigeria’s foreign ministry issued an official statement acknowledging ‘structured security co-operation with international partners’ that resulted in ‘precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.’
This military action follows Trump’s controversial designation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ based on alleged threats to Christian populations, though monitoring groups including Acled report no evidence supporting claims of disproportionate targeting of Christians. Research indicates most victims of jihadist violence in Nigeria’s prolonged conflict have actually been Muslims.
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has maintained that security challenges affect all Nigerians ‘across faiths and regions,’ with adviser Daniel Bwala stressing Nigeria’s sovereignty while welcoming international cooperation against insurgent groups that have killed people ‘from all faiths, or none.’
The Nigeria operation coincides with recent U.S. military actions against IS in Syria, where Central Command reported ‘massive strikes’ involving fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery against more than 70 targets in central Syria with Jordanian participation.