U.S. Strike in Sokoto followed Nigeria’s request, as Washington cites attacks on Christians and Abuja stresses broader security cooperation efforts in the region.
United States has carried out a military strike against Islamic State terrorists in northwest Nigeria, acting at the request of the Nigerian government, according to statements from President Donald Trump and the U.S. military.
U.S. Africa Command said the operation targeted known Islamic State camps in Sokoto State and resulted in the deaths of multiple terrorists. The strike was conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities as part of ongoing counterterrorism cooperation between the two countries.
President Trump confirmed the operation on Thursday December 25, 2025,, describing it as a decisive response to extremist violence in the region. He said the targeted militants were responsible for attacks that had disproportionately affected Christian communities in northwest Nigeria, a claim he has repeatedly raised in recent months.
Africa Command said the strike was based on intelligence shared with Nigerian security agencies. A senior U.S. defense official said the operation hit several militant positions associated with Islamic State’s West Africa networks. Video released by the Pentagon showed a projectile launched from a U.S. naval platform, though officials declined to provide further operational details.
Nigeria’s foreign ministry acknowledged the strike, describing it as part of broader security collaboration with Washington. In a statement posted on social media, the ministry said joint intelligence sharing and strategic coordination had led to precision airstrikes against terrorist targets in the country’s northwest.
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The operation follows increased U.S. military surveillance over Nigeria. Earlier this week, reports indicated that American aircraft had been conducting intelligence-gathering flights across large areas of the country since late November, reflecting deeper cooperation amid persistent security threats.
President Trump has previously warned that violence in Nigeria poses a serious risk to religious communities, particularly Christians. Nigerian officials, however, maintain that armed groups target both Muslims and Christians and argue that the conflict is driven by a complex mix of terrorism, banditry, and local grievances.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is roughly divided between a predominantly Muslim north and a largely Christian south. Militant groups, including Islamic State affiliates and Boko Haram, have carried out attacks across several northern regions for more than a decade.
On Thursday, Nigerian Police reported that a suspected suicide bomber killed at least five people at a mosque in the country’s northeast, underscoring the continued threat posed by Islamist insurgents beyond the northwest.
In a Christmas message, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu called for calm and unity, urging peace among citizens of different faiths. He said his government remains committed to protecting religious freedom and safeguarding all Nigerians from violence.
The Nigeria strike comes as the U.S. military continues broader operations against Islamic State. Last week, American forces launched large-scale strikes on dozens of Islamic State targets in Syria following an attack on U.S. personnel there, signaling a renewed global campaign against the extremist group.