The United States has warned that further military strikes could be carried out against Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria, following airstrikes launched on Christmas Day in coordination with Nigerian authorities.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said more attacks may follow, stressing that President Donald Trump is determined to end the killing of civilians, particularly Christians. In a post on X, Hegseth described the strikes as a message to Islamic State fighters and thanked the Nigerian government for its cooperation.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed that the strikes were part of “joint ongoing operations” between both countries. He disclosed that Nigeria provided intelligence for the airstrikes carried out in Sokoto State and that President Bola Tinubu approved the operation after consultations with US officials.
Trump said the operation was initially planned for an earlier date but was delayed to Christmas Day. He claimed multiple militant camps were destroyed and described the strikes as decisive. He reiterated earlier warnings that continued attacks on civilians would trigger severe consequences.
Nigeria, a secular country with a near-even split between Muslims and Christians, has seen growing insecurity across religious and ethnic lines. While some US groups frame the violence as religious persecution, Nigerian authorities maintain that armed groups target both Christians and Muslims.
The US Africa Command confirmed the strikes were carried out in coordination with Nigerian forces. Neither government has officially confirmed casualty figures, though local residents in Jabo village, near one of the strike sites, said there were no civilian deaths.
However, villagers reported panic and fear as missiles hit nearby areas, with some describing intense heat and bright skies during the strikes. Security forces reportedly cordoned off affected zones shortly after.
The region has long been plagued by banditry and militant activity, with forests near the Niger border serving as hideouts for armed groups, including Islamic State affiliates known locally as Lakurawa. Analysts say weak state presence initially allowed some of these groups to emerge.
The strikes also revived painful memories for locals of a Nigerian air force bombing last Christmas that mistakenly killed civilians. Compensation for those victims was paid only days ago.
Tuggar stressed that the latest operation was not religiously motivated but aimed at protecting all Nigerians. He described it as a continuation of an existing counterterrorism effort rather than a new conflict phase.
The operation comes amid worsening insecurity nationwide, with thousands of violent incidents recorded in 2025, many targeting civilians. Authorities say collaboration with international partners remains critical to tackling terrorism and restoring stability across affected regions.
