The United States military has carried out a precision strike against Islamic State (ISIS) militants in northwest Nigeria, targeting terror camps in Sokoto State, US and Nigerian officials confirmed on Thursday.
The operation was conducted at the request of the Nigerian government, according to the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), and resulted in the killing of multiple ISIS militants. The strike was executed in close coordination with Nigerian authorities as part of ongoing counterterrorism cooperation.
US President Donald Trump said the strike targeted ISIS elements responsible for attacks on civilians, particularly Christian communities in the region. In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump described the militants as carrying out “vicious killings” and said the operation was ordered in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief.
AFRICOM stated that the strike hit known ISIS camps and followed intelligence-driven surveillance operations. A Pentagon-released video showed at least one projectile launched from a US warship, while a US defence official said the operation involved precision-guided munitions.
Nigeria–US Security Cooperation
Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the strike, calling it part of ongoing bilateral security cooperation with the United States involving intelligence sharing and strategic coordination.
“This cooperation has enabled precision air strikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North West,” the ministry said in a post on X.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth thanked the Nigerian government for its cooperation and signalled continued action, posting: “More to come…”
Complex Security Situation
The Nigerian government has maintained that militant violence in the country affects both Muslim and Christian communities, stressing that the security challenge is complex and multi-dimensional. Nigeria has nevertheless agreed to deepen cooperation with the US to strengthen its counterterrorism capabilities.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is religiously divided, with Muslims predominantly in the north and Christians largely in the south. The country continues to face threats from multiple extremist groups, including ISIS affiliates and Boko Haram factions.
Earlier on Thursday, Nigerian police reported that a suspected suicide bomber killed at least five people and injured 35 others at a mosque in the country’s northeast—another region plagued by Islamist insurgency.
In a Christmas message, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu called for peace and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting religious freedom.
“I stand committed to doing everything within my power to protect Christians, Muslims, and all Nigerians from violence,” he said.
Wider US Counter-ISIS Campaign
The Nigeria strike follows recent large-scale US operations against Islamic State targets in Syria, underscoring Washington’s renewed focus on global counterterrorism operations. Analysts say the action in Nigeria signals the US intent to prevent ISIS from regrouping or expanding its footprint in West Africa.
