President Donald Trump announced that the United States conducted airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) militants in northwest Nigeria’s Sokoto State on Christmas Day, describing the operation as a “powerful and deadly strike” against terrorists accused of targeting and killing Christians.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated: “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, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!” He added, “I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” and provocatively concluded: “May God Bless our Military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.”
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the strikes were carried out in coordination with (and in some reports, at the request of) Nigerian authorities, with an initial assessment indicating multiple ISIS terrorists were killed in ISIS camps. Details on the exact weaponry varied, with sources reporting Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from a Navy ship in the Gulf of Guinea or other precision strikes.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude for Nigerian cooperation on X, stating the strikes fulfilled Trump’s warnings and hinting at further actions: “More to come… Merry Christmas!”
Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the operation on December 26, describing it as “precision hits on terrorist targets” resulting from ongoing U.S.-Nigeria security cooperation, including intelligence sharing. The ministry emphasised protecting civilians and rights regardless of faith, avoiding Trump’s framing of religious persecution.
This marks the first known U.S. military action in Nigeria during Trump’s second term, following his repeated warnings since October 2025 about violence against Christians, which he labeled an “existential threat” or “genocide.” The U.S. recently redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” for religious freedom and imposed visa restrictions.
Nigerian officials and analysts maintain that the country’s conflicts—involving jihadists like ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province), Boko Haram, and criminal bandits—are complex, driven by ethnic, resource, and criminal factors, with victims from both Muslim and Christian communities.