The United States carried out an airstrike against Daesh militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of the Nigerian government, according to statements from Donald Trump and the US military.
Trump said the strike targeted Daesh fighters operating in the region, claiming the group had carried out deadly attacks, particularly against Christian communities. He announced the operation in a post on Truth Social, describing it as a decisive response authorised by him as commander-in-chief.
The US military’s United States Africa Command confirmed that the strike took place in Sokoto State and killed multiple Daesh operatives. Officials said Nigerian authorities requested the operation as part of ongoing counterterrorism cooperation.
The airstrike followed weeks of heightened rhetoric from Trump, who has warned since late October that violence in Nigeria poses a serious threat to religious communities. Reuters reported earlier this week that US intelligence aircraft had conducted surveillance flights over parts of Nigeria since late November.
.@POTUS “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… pic.twitter.com/ct7rUW128t
— Department of War 🇺🇸 (@DeptofWar) December 26, 2025Nigeria’s foreign ministry said the operation reflected close security collaboration with Washington. In a statement posted on X, it said intelligence sharing and strategic coordination had enabled precision strikes against militant targets in the northwest.
U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth thanked Nigerian authorities for their cooperation and signalled that further action could follow. A video released by the Pentagon showed at least one projectile being launched from a US warship.
Nigerian officials have repeatedly stressed that armed groups in the country target both Muslims and Christians, describing the violence as part of a complex security crisis rather than religious persecution alone. Still, Abuja has agreed to deepen cooperation with the United States to strengthen its fight against militant groups.
Nigeria remains sharply divided along religious lines, with a largely Muslim population in the north and a predominantly Christian population in the south. Violence linked to militant groups has affected multiple regions.
Earlier on Thursday, police said a suspected suicide bomber killed at least five people and injured dozens in northeast Nigeria, another area plagued by insurgent activity.
In a Christmas message, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu urged unity and peace, calling for harmony between people of different faiths. He reaffirmed his commitment to protecting all Nigerians and upholding religious freedom.
The US military has also stepped up operations elsewhere. Last week, it launched large-scale strikes against Daesh targets in Syria after a suspected militant attack on US personnel, underscoring Washington’s broader campaign against the group.
*With additional information incorporated from Reuters reporting.
