In a dramatic escalation of international involvement in Nigeria’s deepening security crisis, the United States military announced that it has carried out precision strikes against Islamic State linked fighters in northwest Nigeria. The action took place on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, and was publicly confirmed by U.S. officials and Nigerian authorities.
U.S. Africa Command said the operation was conducted in coordination with the Nigerian government, and that multiple militants were killed. The strikes hit targets in Sokoto State, a region where Islamic State West Africa Province and other extremist factions have been active.
President of the United States announced the operation via his social media platform just after midnight local time, calling it a “powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorists” accused of targeting and killing civilians, especially Christians. He said the action was taken at his direction and vowed further measures if violence continued.
The Nigerian Federal Government quickly moved to confirm the collaboration, saying the strikes were part of structured security cooperation and intelligence sharing with international partners including the United States. Abuja stressed that all violence against civilians, whether Christian, Muslim, or otherwise, is abhorrent and that efforts are ongoing to strengthen Nigeria’s own security forces.
While precise casualty figures from the strikes have not been released, U.S. military spokespersons described the hits as “precision” and focused on known terrorist encampments inside the northwest region. Video footage released by the U.S. Department of War appears to show at least one projectile launched from a naval platform offshore, underscoring the firepower involved.
This operation comes after weeks of rising tension and warnings from Washington, which had added Nigeria to a watchlist over what it described as persistent attacks on Christians by armed groups. Nigerian authorities have pushed back against any suggestion that violence in the country is solely religious, noting the complex mix of insurgent, bandit, and communal conflicts that plague multiple regions.
For Nigeria, a nation already grappling with multiple security threats across the north and central belt, this U.S. intervention represents both a significant escalation of international involvement and a test of diplomatic and military cooperation during a particularly fraught period.
