Washington: US forces have carried out coordinated airstrikes against Islamic State-linked militants in north-west Nigeria, according to statements from President Donald Trump and US military officials.
The operation has been described as part of a broader US effort to counter extremist groups operating across West Africa. US President Donald Trump has said the military launched ‘powerful and deadly strikes’ against Islamic State elements, claiming the group had carried out violent attacks against civilians.
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has said the action was a joint operation targeting terrorist groups and stressed that it was not directed at any specific religion. Tuggar has added that further military action would depend on decisions taken by the leadership of both countries, leaving open the possibility of additional US involvement.
"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…" – President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/AUUmTMABSs
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 26, 2025
The US has increased its focus on militant groups in Nigeria over recent months, following concerns raised within Washington about regional instability and the activities of jihadist organisations. In November, President Trump instructed the US military to prepare contingency plans to address the threat posed by Islamist militants operating in the country.
The US Defence Department has acknowledged Nigerian government cooperation, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stating that American forces were working closely with local authorities. The strikes form part of a wider US strategy aimed at disrupting Islamic State networks beyond the Middle East.
However, violence-monitoring organisations and human rights groups have repeatedly said there is no evidence to suggest that attacks by militant groups in Nigeria have disproportionately targeted Christians. Nigeria remains a religiously diverse country, with Muslim and Christian populations spread across different regions.
Jihadist organisations such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province have carried out attacks in north-eastern Nigeria for more than a decade, killing thousands of civilians. Data from conflict-monitoring groups indicates that most victims have been Muslims, although violence has affected communities across religious and ethnic lines.
In central Nigeria, recurring clashes between herders and farming communities have further compounded insecurity. These conflicts are largely driven by competition over land and water resources rather than religious identity, according to analysts.
The latest US strikes in Nigeria follow similar military action elsewhere. Last week, US forces carried out large-scale strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria, involving fighter jets, helicopters and artillery, highlighting Washington’s continued global campaign against the group.
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