Northwest Nigeria – December 25, 2025 – The United States has carried out an air strike against ISIL (ISIS) fighters in northwest Nigeria, President Donald Trump announced on Christmas Day. The strike targeted militants accused of killing civilians, “primarily, innocent Christians,” according to Trump.

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist elements in northwest Nigeria,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform, adding that the group had committed atrocities “at levels not seen for many years, and even centuries.”

US Military Confirmation

The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed that the strike was conducted at the request of Nigerian authorities. The operation targeted Sokoto State, killing multiple ISIL-linked fighters, according to AFRICOM and the Nigerian Ministry of Defence.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude for Nigerian cooperation and warned that additional operations could follow, emphasizing the ongoing US-Nigeria counterterrorism collaboration.

Context and Controversy

The air strike follows weeks of US planning after Trump raised concerns about the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. While Trump emphasized the need to respond to the attacks, Nigerian authorities have maintained that armed groups target both Muslim and Christian communities, and that the situation is more complex than claims of religious-based genocide suggest.

Major General Samaila Uba, director of defense information for the Nigerian military, said the precision strike targeted “identified foreign ISIS-linked elements operating in parts of northwest Nigeria,” and was approved by the federal government. The operation reflects Nigeria’s and its strategic partners’ commitment to countering transnational terrorism and preventing foreign militants from gaining a foothold.

Local Reactions

Al Jazeera reported from Lagos that missile fragments were visible near a village in Sokoto State, though no casualties were reported. Local observers noted that the majority of the population in the area is Muslim and that attacks on Christians in the state have historically been rare.

Experts in Washington, DC, pointed out that Trump’s strike comes amid heightened scrutiny of Nigeria’s human rights record, particularly concerning the protection of Christian communities. The US had conducted overflight surveillance from Accra, Ghana, prior to the strike, highlighting months of preparation.

Implications

The strike underscores the ongoing US commitment to counterterrorism operations in Africa, targeting ISIS-affiliated groups and foreign fighters. Analysts suggest that the timing, coinciding with Christmas, may also resonate with Trump’s Christian evangelical support base.

Nigeria continues to face a multifaceted security challenge, with extremist groups operating in the northwest and central regions, complicating the government’s efforts to maintain stability while collaborating with international partners.