(ABUJA, December 26, 2025) —
The U.S. military, in coordination with Nigeria, conducted a recent strike against Islamic State (IS) militants in northwestern Nigeria, according to statements from both countries and former U.S. President Donald Trump.
- Former President Donald Trump announced the U.S. launched a “powerful and deadly strike” against IS in Nigeria.
- The Nigerian Foreign Ministry confirmed a “joint operation” targeting terrorists in the Sokoto state.
- Groups monitoring violence report no evidence suggests Christians are being disproportionately targeted in Nigeria.
The United States launched a military strike against Islamic State militants in northwestern Nigeria, former President Donald Trump said Thursday. Trump described the militants as “terrorist scum” and accused them of “targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians.”
The U.S. Africa Command (Africom) later reported the Thursday attack was carried out in coordination with Nigeria in the Sokoto state, according to statements released Friday. The Nigerian Foreign Ministry confirmed the operation, stating it was a “joint operation” targeting “terrorists” and that it “has nothing to do with a particular religion.”
Joint Operation Confirmed
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Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar told the BBC the operation was a joint effort. He did not rule out further strikes, stating that future actions would depend on “decisions to be taken by the leadership of the two countries.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that “under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper.” He also announced earlier that he had declared Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” due to the “existential threat” posed to its Christian population, claiming “thousands” had been killed, though without providing evidence.
This designation, used by the U.S. State Department, can provide for sanctions against countries “engaged in severe violations of religious freedom.”
Religious Targeting Claims Disputed
Groups monitoring violence in Nigeria say there is no evidence to suggest that Christians are being killed more than Muslims, noting the country is roughly evenly divided between followers of the two religions. An adviser to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu told the BBC that any military action against jihadist groups should be carried out jointly.
Daniel Bwala, the advisor, said Nigeria would welcome U.S. assistance in tackling Islamist insurgents but emphasized Nigeria’s sovereignty. He also stated the jihadists were not targeting members of a particular religion, having killed people of all faiths, or none.
President Tinubu has consistently maintained there is religious tolerance in Nigeria, stating that security challenges affect people “across faiths and regions.”
Recent U.S. Military Action in the Region
The U.S. Department of Defense posted an unclassified video on Thursday showing a missile being launched from a military vessel. Last week, the U.S. announced a “massive strike” against IS in Syria, with U.S. Central Command (Centcom) reporting that fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery struck more than 70 targets across central Syria, with support from Jordanian aircraft.
The U.S. and Nigeria remain engaged in security cooperation to address the threat of terrorism, the Nigerian foreign ministry stated Friday.
Time.news based this report in part on reporting by the BBC and added independent analysis and context.
