President Donald J. Trump and the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs have confirmed a “powerful and deadly” joint military operation targeting Islamic State (IS) militants in north-western Nigeria. The strikes, executed on Thursday in the Sokoto state, represent a significant escalation in U.S. military involvement in the region following President Trump’s November directive to tackle Islamist insurgencies.
U.S. Africa Command (Africom) reported that the mission was carried out in close coordination with the Nigerian government. Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar characterized the strike as a “joint operation” based on intelligence provided by Nigerian authorities. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude for the “Nigerian government support & cooperation” following the successful hit on what the administration described as “terrorist targets.”
Tonight’s headline is a Christmas card written in ordnance: U.S. airstrikes in Sokoto State, northwest Nigeria, announced by Trump as a “powerful and deadly strike” on ISIS targets, carried out by AFRICOM at Nigeria’s request, with “multiple ISIS operatives” reportedly killed.… https://t.co/vVhFeUpD8m pic.twitter.com/lbBSjpjsK7
— THE ISLANDER (@IslanderWORLD) December 26, 2025
President Trump, writing on Truth Social, praised the U.S. military for executing “numerous perfect strikes” against what he termed “Radical Islamic Terrorism.” The President emphasized his administration’s commitment to protecting religious freedom, having recently designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern.” He asserted that the group has specifically targeted innocent Christians, an assessment the U.S. has used to justify heightened intervention.
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While welcoming the international cooperation, Nigerian officials provided a distinct perspective on the nature of the conflict:
- Sovereignty: Presidential adviser Daniel Bwala noted that while U.S. assistance is welcome, Nigeria remains a “sovereign” nation and any action must be collaborative.
- Religious Neutrality: Minister Tuggar and other Nigerian officials clarified that the fight against terrorism “has nothing to do with a particular religion.”
- Security Assessment: Despite claims from Washington regarding the targeting of Christians, Nigerian authorities and international monitors, including Acled, indicate that the insurgency has historically claimed the lives of thousands of people across all faiths, with a significant number of victims being Muslim.
The Nigerian government maintains that it remains engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners to address violent extremism. Future strikes remain a possibility, contingent upon ongoing leadership discussions between the two nations.
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