United States President Donald Trump has announced that American forces carried out deadly airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) militants operating in Northwest Nigeria, warning that further attacks would follow if the group continues targeting Christians.
Trump made the disclosure on Thursday via his Truth Social platform, claiming the strikes were executed against ISIS elements accused of killing Christians in the region.
According to the president, the operation was conducted at his directive as Commander-in-Chief and involved what he described as “numerous perfect strikes.”
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians,” Trump wrote.
“I previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was.”
Trump added that the operation was carried out by the US Department of Defense, which he referred to as the “Department of War,” and vowed that his administration would not tolerate the spread of radical Islamic terrorism.
“Under my leadership, our country will not allow radical Islamic terrorism to prosper,” he said, while praising the US military and extending Christmas greetings.
In a separate post on X (formerly Twitter), US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed the operation and expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s cooperation.
“The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end,” Hegseth wrote.
“The Department of Defense is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight. Grateful for Nigerian government support and cooperation. Merry Christmas.”
Meanwhile, the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed that it conducted coordinated airstrikes against ISIS targets in Sokoto State.
“At the direction of the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense, and in coordination with Nigerian authorities, U.S. Africa Command conducted strikes against ISIS terrorists in Nigeria on December 25, 2025, in Sokoto State,” AFRICOM stated in a post on X, adding that multiple terrorists were killed.
The strikes came a day after a bomb explosion ripped through a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, killing at least five people and injuring several others in what authorities suspect was a suicide attack.
Nigeria has faced persistent security challenges from extremist groups over the past decade, particularly Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). While insurgent violence has been concentrated largely in the North-East, security agencies have increasingly warned of extremist expansion into North-Western states, including Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina.
The United States has long supported Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts through intelligence sharing, training, and limited direct military assistance. However, direct US strikes on Nigerian soil are rare and typically conducted only with the consent and coordination of the Nigerian government.
The Christmas Day operation underscores growing international concern over religiously motivated violence in Nigeria, as well as Washington’s renewed posture under President Trump to confront extremist groups beyond traditional conflict zones.
