What to Know as US Military Bombs ISIS Terrorists in Nigeria, Tinubu’s Government Reacts

US Military Strikes ISIS Targets in Nigeria Following Trump’s Directive.

 

The United States military has carried out air strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in northwestern Nigeria, killing multiple militants, following directives issued by US President Donald Trump, the US Department of Defense and Nigerian authorities have confirmed.

Ejes Gist News reports that the strikes were conducted on December 25, 2025, in Sokoto State, at the request of the Nigerian government, as part of ongoing security cooperation between both countries aimed at degrading terrorist networks operating in the region.

Pentagon Confirms Operation Against ISIS Militants

In a brief statement, the US Department of Defense said “multiple ISIS terrorists” were killed during the operation, though it did not disclose casualty figures or operational specifics. The Pentagon noted that the strike was carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities.

 

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The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) also confirmed the development in a post on X, stating that it conducted a strike “at the request of Nigerian authorities in Sokoto State, killing multiple ISIS terrorists.”

AFRICOM added that the operation aligned with established bilateral security arrangements and ongoing counterterrorism cooperation between Washington and Abuja.

Trump Says Strikes Follow Warning Over Attacks on Christians

President Trump announced the strikes earlier on his Truth Social platform, describing them as “powerful and deadly” and linking the operation to his previous warnings to Islamic State militants operating in Nigeria.

According to Trump, the strikes followed repeated attacks on Christian communities, which he had earlier described as unacceptable. He stated that the US would take military action if such killings continued.

The US president said the strikes occurred on Christmas Day and praised the US military for its readiness and execution of the operation.

US Officials Praise Nigeria–US Security Cooperation

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also commented on the operation, expressing gratitude for the cooperation and support of the Nigerian government. He said the strike demonstrated the Pentagon’s preparedness to act against terrorist threats when requested by partner nations.

The air strikes mark the first confirmed US military action in Nigeria under Trump’s current administration and follow months of heightened rhetoric from Washington regarding security and religious violence in parts of the country.

Nigeria Confirms “Precision Hits” on Terrorist Targets

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the air strikes in a statement released in Abuja, describing them as “precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes” carried out in the North West.

The ministry said Nigeria remains engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States, to address the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism.

According to the statement, the collaboration includes intelligence sharing, strategic coordination, and other forms of support conducted in line with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and bilateral understandings.

Government Rejects Religious Framing of Violence

The Nigerian government reiterated that its counterterrorism strategy is focused on protecting all civilians, regardless of religion or ethnicity, and rejected narratives that frame the country’s security challenges solely as religious persecution.

 

 

The Foreign Ministry stated that terrorist violence directed at Christians, Muslims, or any other community remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and a threat to regional and international security.

 

 

Independent analysts and Nigerian officials have consistently argued that the country’s insecurity is driven by a complex mix of terrorism, banditry, and criminal activity, rather than a single religious agenda.

 

 

Background to US–Nigeria Counterterrorism Ties

The latest strikes come amid renewed US scrutiny of Nigeria’s religious freedom record. Earlier in the year, the United States placed Nigeria back on its list of countries of “particular concern” regarding religious freedom and imposed visa restrictions on some Nigerian nationals.

 

 

President Trump has repeatedly highlighted what his administration describes as global persecution of Christians and has said the US is prepared to take action where such abuses occur.

 

 

Nigerian authorities, however, maintain that ongoing cooperation with international partners is designed to weaken terrorist networks, disrupt financing and logistics, and prevent cross-border threats, while strengthening domestic security and intelligence capabilities.

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would continue to engage relevant partners through diplomatic and security channels and keep the public informed through official statements.