In a significant escalation of foreign military intervention, the United States conducted a series of airstrikes against terrorist targets in Nigeria's northwestern Sokoto state on Christmas Day. The operation, personally authorized by US President Donald Trump, reportedly resulted in numerous casualties among ISIS-affiliated militants.
Trump's Direct Order and Controversial Christmas Greeting
President Donald Trump publicly confirmed his role in directing the military action on Thursday, December 25, 2025. In a statement characterized by his typical blunt rhetoric, Trump revealed he had approved "a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria." He specifically cited the group's targeted killings of innocent Christians as the primary justification for the intervention.
In a provocative conclusion to his remarks, the President extended a "Merry Christmas to all, including the dead Terrorists." He further warned that there would be many more militant casualties if the slaughter of Christians continued, stating he had previously warned the groups of "hell to pay."
The Operation and Its Justification
The airstrikes, executed by the US Department of War, targeted ISIS elements operating in the Sokoto region. According to Trump's account, these terrorists had been "viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries." The President praised the precision of the strikes, asserting such operations were something "only the United States is capable of doing."
He framed the action as a critical part of his administration's policy, declaring, "Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper." The statement also included a blessing for the US military personnel involved in carrying out the mission.
Context and Implications for Nigeria
This direct US military action on Nigerian soil marks a notable development in international efforts to combat terrorism in the Sahel region. While details on exact casualty figures and the specific locations within Sokoto state remain limited from the initial announcement, the operation signals a more direct kinetic approach by the US in the region.
The airstrike occurred amidst a long-standing and complex security challenge in northwestern Nigeria, where militant groups, including ISIS-affiliated factions, have been active. The public acknowledgment by a sitting US President of such an operation within Nigeria's borders is likely to generate significant diplomatic and security discussions between the two nations and within the broader international community.
