United States military forces carried out a series of air strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) militants in northwestern Nigeria on Christmas Day. The operation, confirmed by both US and Nigerian authorities, marks a significant escalation in direct US military action within the country.
Trump's "Powerful and Deadly" Warning
President Donald Trump announced the action, describing the strikes as "powerful and deadly." He connected the military move to his previous warnings about violence against Christians in Nigeria. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated, "I had previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was."
He concluded his message with a pointed "MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues." The US Department of Defense's Africa Command (AFRICOM) stated the operation in Sokoto state resulted in the death of "multiple ISIS terrorists" and was conducted at the formal request of Nigerian authorities.
Nigerian Confirmation and Diplomatic Context
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the air strikes early on Friday, December 26, 2025. In an official statement, the ministry characterized the hits as "precision hits on terrorist targets." It further emphasized Nigeria's ongoing security partnerships, stating, "Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism."
This military action follows a diplomatic offensive by the Trump administration in October and November, during which the President unexpectedly criticized Nigeria, claiming Christians faced an "existential threat" and "genocide." He had threatened to cut off all aid to Abuja if the killings continued. The United States also recently placed Nigeria back on a list of "particular concern" regarding religious freedom, restricting visas for some Nigerians.
Complex Security Landscape and Reactions
The Christmas Day strikes represent the first known US military action in Nigeria under President Trump. US defense officials later released video footage appearing to show a nighttime missile launch from a US battleship. Pentagon official Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude for "Nigerian government support & cooperation" on social media platform X.
However, the framing of Nigeria's complex conflicts purely as religious persecution is contentious. Nigeria's government and independent analysts often reject this narrative, which is promoted by some Christian advocacy groups in the West. They argue it oversimplifies a multifaceted crisis involving:
- Jihadist violence in the northeast by Boko Haram and ISIS affiliates, ongoing for over 15 years, claiming over 40,000 lives.
- Widespread banditry and criminal gang attacks in the northwest and central regions, involving kidnapping and village raids.
- Communal clashes often rooted in competition over resources, not religion.
The strikes occurred amid ongoing violence. Just a day earlier, on Wednesday, December 24, an explosion at a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, killed at least seven worshippers. No group claimed responsibility for that attack.
