On December 25, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced that American forces carried out what he described as “powerful and deadly” airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Nigeria, citing the militants’ alleged targeting and killing of Christians.
The announcement was made via a Christmas evening social media post, without details on casualties or damage. The strikes, according to a US Defense Department official, were conducted with the approval and cooperation of the Nigerian government, involving intelligence sharing and strategic coordination in line with international law. Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the collaboration, stressing respect for sovereignty and a shared commitment to regional and global security.
The operation follows weeks of sharp criticism from Trump, who has accused Nigeria’s authorities of failing to curb violence against Christians. However, Nigerian officials and security analysts have reiterated that the country’s prolonged security crisis affects both Christians and Muslims, driven by a mix of extremist insurgency, communal clashes, banditry and weak state presence in affected regions.
Analysts suggest the strikes may have targeted the Lakurawa group, an Islamic State-linked faction operating in northwestern states such as Sokoto and Kebbi, which has grown increasingly lethal over the past year. Nigeria is also battling the Islamic State West Africa Province, an offshoot of Boko Haram, in the northeast.
The US action builds on earlier measures, including visa restrictions announced by the State Department against Nigerians implicated in religious violence and Nigeria’s recent designation as a “country of particular concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act. The White House maintains that the strikes reflect a firm stance against extremist violence, while Nigeria continues to emphasise that terrorism in any form remains a threat to all communities.
Source :