Nigeria has confirmed that a recent U.S. airstrike on militant positions in the country’s northwest was conducted as a coordinated security operation between both governments, following claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that the action targeted Islamic State fighters.
Speaking on Christmas Day, Trump said the United States had launched what he described as a decisive attack against ISIS elements operating in northwest Nigeria, accusing the group of carrying out deadly attacks, particularly against Christian communities. His statement was shared on his Truth Social account while he was spending the holiday at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
According to the U.S. military’s Africa Command, the strike took place in Sokoto State and was executed in collaboration with Nigerian authorities. The operation reportedly resulted in the deaths of several ISIS militants located at known camps in the area.
Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, confirmed the operation in an interview with the BBC, describing it as a long-planned joint mission aimed at terrorist groups. He stressed that the action was not motivated by religious considerations and relied heavily on intelligence supplied by Nigeria. Tuggar added that additional joint strikes could happen in the future, depending on decisions taken by leaders of both countries.
The Nigerian government also issued a statement emphasizing that the strike was part of an ongoing security partnership with the United States, which includes intelligence sharing and coordinated military planning. Officials said this cooperation has enabled targeted air operations against armed groups in the northwest.
Trump has previously warned that Christians in Nigeria face serious threats, a position Nigerian authorities have challenged. The government maintains that extremist violence affects both Muslims and Christians and argues that the situation is more complex than claims of religious persecution alone. Nevertheless, Nigeria has continued to work with the U.S. to strengthen its response to militant activity.
The Pentagon released footage showing at least one missile launched from a U.S. naval vessel, while a defense official confirmed that multiple ISIS locations were hit. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly thanked Nigeria for its cooperation and hinted that further actions could follow.
Meanwhile, violence linked to Islamist insurgents continues in other parts of the country. On the same day, Nigerian police reported that a suspected suicide bomber killed several people and injured dozens at a mosque in the northeast.
In a Christmas message, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu called for unity and peace among Nigerians of different faiths and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting religious freedom and ensuring the safety of all citizens.
The strike in Nigeria comes shortly after the U.S. military carried out large-scale attacks on Islamic State targets in Syria, following threats by Trump to respond forcefully to attacks on American personnel.
