The United States carried out air strikes against Islamic State (IS) targets in northwestern Nigeria on Christmas Day, marking the first such operation in the country under President Donald Trump. Washington said the strikes were conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities and targeted militant positions linked to IS activity.
Read More: Christmas celebrations bring joy across Pakistan
President Trump described the operation as “powerful and deadly,” stating that US forces acted after repeated warnings over attacks on Christian communities. In a message posted on his Truth Social platform, he said the strikes were intended to deter further violence and signalled that the United States was prepared to take military action if such attacks continued.
Earlier today Trump announced Christmas Day strikes against ISIS in Nigeria.
“MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.” 😆 pic.twitter.com/5uQEWAe0Ci
— MissionReadyMen (@MissionReadyMen) December 26, 2025
Nigeria’s government confirmed U.S. Christmas Day airstrikes in northwest Nigeria targeted ISIS militants, with President Trump directing the “powerful and deadly” US operation against those killing Christians.
Witnesses report hearing loud explosions, prompting many to flee… https://t.co/3CRhPwqv7Z pic.twitter.com/iOdRMWuj95
— GeoTechWar (@geotechwar) December 26, 2025
Footage shows the US conducting airstrikes in Northwest Nigeria on Christmas night, targeting ISIS militants accused of killing Christians. The operation was described as decisive, with a warning that further strikes would follow if the violence continues. pic.twitter.com/MLtJ8IXa0R
— Wunderkind (@EngineerNGR) December 26, 2025
JUST IN: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Confirms Nigerian 🇳🇬Government Awareness and Cooperation in US Christmas Day Strikes Against ISIS in Northwest Sokoto, Nigeria 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/apOYzMvPCD
— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) December 26, 2025
Nigeria’s foreign ministry confirmed the strikes early Friday, calling them “precision hits on terrorist targets.” The statement emphasised that Nigeria remains engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States, to address the threat of terrorism and violent extremism.
The US Department of Defence’s Africa Command said multiple IS militants were killed in the operation in Sokoto state, though it did not disclose casualty figures. Pentagon officials said the strike was carried out at the request of Nigerian authorities, underscoring bilateral counterterrorism coordination.
The strikes follow months of heightened rhetoric from Washington. President Trump had previously accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christian communities, claims that Nigerian officials and independent analysts have rejected, arguing that the country’s violence is driven by complex security and criminal factors rather than religious persecution.
Nigeria has faced persistent insecurity across several regions. In the northeast, the Boko Haram insurgency has lasted more than 15 years, killing tens of thousands and displacing millions. Meanwhile, criminal gangs known as bandits have carried out kidnappings and deadly raids in the northwest and central regions.
Read More: Punjab announces holidays on Quaid-e-Azam Day, Boxing Day
The US recently returned Nigeria to its list of countries of “particular concern” over religious freedom and imposed visa restrictions. Despite diplomatic tensions, both governments have stressed continued cooperation against militant groups as Nigeria confronts overlapping security challenges nationwide.