United States President, Donald Trump has announced that American forces carried out “numerous” deadly airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS), terrorists in northwestern Nigeria, warning that further attacks would follow if militants continued killing Christians.
The strikes, conducted on Christmas Day, targeted ISIS elements operating in Sokoto State, according to U.S. Africa Command, and were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities.
Trump’s Announcement
Trump revealed the operation in a series of posts on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, stating that the action was taken under his authority as Commander in Chief.
“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, at levels not seen for many years, and even centuries,” Trump wrote.
He said he had previously warned the militants to stop the violence and vowed that there would be severe consequences if the attacks continued.
“I have previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” he added.
Trump said the Department of War — his preferred term for the Pentagon — carried out “numerous perfect strikes,”praising the U.S. military’s capabilities and reaffirming his administration’s stance against extremist groups.
“Under my leadership, our country will not allow radical Islamic terrorism to prosper,” he said, concluding the message with a Christmas greeting and praise for the U.S. armed forces.
US Military and Nigerian Cooperation
In a statement posted on X, U.S. Africa Command confirmed that the strikes killed multiple ISIS fighters.
“At the direction of the President of the United States and the Secretary of War, and in coordination with Nigerian authorities, U.S. Africa Command conducted strikes against ISIS terrorists in Nigeria on Dec. 25, 2025, in Sokoto State,” the command said.
U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also acknowledged Nigeria’s cooperation, expressing gratitude for the support of the Nigerian government.
“The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end,” Hegseth wrote.
“The @DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation.”
Security Context in Nigeria
The airstrikes came amid heightened insecurity in Nigeria. Just one day earlier, a bomb exploded inside a mosque in Maiduguri, a city in the country’s northeast, killing at least five people and injuring dozens in what authorities suspect was a suicide attack.
Nigeria has for years faced violence from multiple armed groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), alongside banditry and communal conflicts. The violence has affected both Muslim and Christian communities, though Trump has repeatedly emphasised attacks on Christians in his statements.
Earlier Warnings and Broader US Military Actions
Last month, Trump warned that he would cut off U.S. aid to Nigeria and potentially take military action if the government did not do more to stop extremist violence. In a Nov. 1 Truth Social post, he said he had ordered the War Department to “prepare for possible action” against what he described as terrorist groups operating in the country.
The strikes in Nigeria are part of a broader pattern of military operations under Trump since he returned to office in January. His administration has overseen strikes or military actions in Yemen, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Syria, as well as operations in the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
Last week, the administration also recalled more than two dozen U.S. ambassadors appointed under former President Joe Biden, including envoys to Nigeria and several other African nations, signaling a shift in U.S. diplomatic and security posture.
Looking Ahead
While U.S. officials say the strikes were conducted with Nigerian cooperation, analysts note that Nigeria’s security crisis is complex and rooted in long-standing political, economic, and social challenges. Whether the latest U.S. military action will significantly weaken extremist groups or reshape the security landscape remains to be seen.
For now, Trump has made clear that further attacks are possible if militant violence continues.