After weeks of bated breath Nigerians have read a dramatic Christmas night announcement from US President Donald Trump declaring that the United States military has conducted a series of airstrikes against ISIS-affiliated terrorists in northwestern Nigeria. This is a significant and sudden escalation of direct U.S. involvement in the region’s conflict, coming days after the US withdrew its ambassador from Nigeria.
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The President announced the operation in a post on his Truth Social platform, stating he had directed the Department of War to execute “powerful and deadly” strikes. He characterised the target as “ISIS Terrorist Scum” responsible for the brutal killings of innocent Christians, claiming the violence was “so bad, and so large, that it hasn’t been seen in years, and in some cases, centuries.”
“Numerous perfect strikes were carried out on Christmas night against these monsters,” President Trump wrote. He issued a stark warning to the militants, vowing that the attacks “will not stop, and will not end, until we are satisfied that this disgusting slaughter of innocent Christians has ended.”
The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) swiftly confirmed the operation in an official press release. The command stated that, at the direction of President Trump and the Secretary of War, U.S. forces “conducted airstrikes in Sokoto State, Nigeria, on December 25, 2025.”
According to AFRICOM, the strikes targeted ISIS camps and were conducted in coordination with the Nigerian government. Preliminary assessments indicate that “multiple terrorists” were killed in the operation, with no civilian casualties reported so far. The command stated that further details would be provided as the assessment continues.
General Dagvin Anderson, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command Africa, emphasised the operation’s purpose. “We continue to work with our partners to ensure the safety and security of innocent civilians and to degrade threats to U.S. persons and interests,” he stated. “These strikes demonstrate our commitment to countering extremist violence alongside our African partners.”
The precise location within Sokoto State and the specific ISIS affiliate targeted were not immediately disclosed. While the United States has provided intelligence, surveillance, and limited advisory support to Nigerian forces for years, direct kinetic action by U.S. air assets on Nigerian soil is a rare and potent development.
The announcement signals a more aggressive, direct approach by the Trump administration to combat Islamist extremist groups in Africa, moving beyond a strictly supportive role for local partners. President Trump framed the action as part of his longstanding pledge to “crush Radical Islamic Terrorism” and praised the U.S. military’s precision.
The Nigerian government has yet to issue an extensive public statement, though AFRICOM’s confirmation of coordination suggests prior agreement. The situation on the ground in Sokoto remains fluid, and regional observers are watching closely for any retaliatory actions by militant groups or broader geopolitical repercussions from this unprecedented U.S. military intervention in northwest Nigeria.
A video circulating on social media a few days before this attack showed heavily armed militants pleading with the Nigerian government not to bomb their hideouts. The video revealed the terrorists in their lowest morale ever caught on camera. Analysts wonder if the video was made to make the government tone down on this collaboration with the US military.
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