‎Nigeria confirms US airstrikes on terrorist targets after Trump announces ‘numerous deadly strikes’

‎The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed that US military airstrikes on Christmas Day targeting terrorist positions in northwest Nigeria were carried out with intelligence cooperation between Abuja and Washington, as the United States moves to counter violent extremist groups in the region.
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‎Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying the country remains engaged in structured security collaboration with international partners — including the United States — which has led to precision air hits on terrorist targets in the Northwest. The ministry said this cooperation involves intelligence sharing, strategic coordination and respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty, with actions taken under international law to protect civilians and uphold human rights.
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‎The confirmation follows a public announcement by US President Donald Trump on social media, when he said US forces had conducted “powerful and deadly” strikes against Islamic State militants operating in Sokoto State — part of northwest Nigeria’s troubled security landscape.
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‎Trump described the operations as “numerous perfect strikes” carried out under his direction as Commander-in-Chief and vowed further action if the militants continue “viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians.”
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‎Trump’s remarks, made on his Truth Social platform on Christmas night, claimed the strikes targeted Islamic State terrorists responsible for what he characterized as unprecedented attacks on Christian communities. He wrote that if the violence did not stop, “there would be hell to pay,” and added, “May God bless our military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead terrorists.”
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‎The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) echoed Trump’s announcement on its social media account (formerly Twitter, now X), saying the strikes were conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities at their request and resulted in the deaths of multiple Islamic State militants. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also expressed gratitude for the cooperation from the Nigerian government, while warning of “more to come” if violence persists.
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‎Nigeria’s official statement stressed, however, that extremist violence in the country affects both Christians and Muslims, and noted that terrorism remains a complex, multifaceted security challenge. It reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to ongoing cooperation with international partners to disrupt insurgent networks and bolster the nation’s own security institutions.
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‎The US strikes mark a significant escalation of foreign military involvement in Nigeria’s fight against groups like Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other extremist factions that have carried out deadly attacks across several states. Nigerian authorities have repeatedly called for balanced and nuanced understanding of the country’s security dynamics, emphasizing efforts to protect all citizens regardless of faith.