The United States carried out an airstrike on Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria, following a request from the Nigerian government, according to announcements from President Donald Trump and the U.S. military. Officials stated that the operation targeted militants responsible for attacks on Christian communities in the region.
President Trump explained on Thursday via social media that the strike, directed by him as Commander in Chief, was a powerful response to what he described as ongoing, severe violence committed by ISIS in northwest Nigeria against Christians at unprecedented levels.
U.S. Africa Command disclosed that the operation was executed in Sokoto state, in cooperation with the Nigerian authorities. The strike resulted in the deaths of several ISIS-affiliated militants. Earlier, Africa Command had posted a statement on X confirming the Nigerian government’s request for the operation, although this post was later removed.
This action followed warnings from Trump issued in late October, in which he raised concerns about the survival of Christianity in Nigeria, characterizing the situation as an “existential threat.” He had previously indicated that military intervention was a possibility if violence against Christian communities was not addressed.
The Nigerian foreign ministry described the strike as part of an ongoing security partnership with the United States, involving intelligence sharing and coordinated action against militant groups. The ministry noted that these joint efforts had resulted in precise aerial attacks against terrorist targets in Nigeria’s northwest.
According to a U.S. defense official, the strike focused on multiple ISIS militants at known camps. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly thanked Nigerian authorities for their cooperation and support in the matter and indicated that further actions could follow.
