By Samuel Adeola
United States President Donald Trump has confirmed that American forces carried out airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS), targets in north-western Nigeria, warning that further attacks would follow if violence against Christians continues.
Trump announced the operation in a post on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, describing the strikes as “powerful and deadly” and saying they were carried out on his direct order.
He accused the militants of “viciously killing innocent Christians” and vowed that the United States would not allow “radical Islamic terrorism to prosper.”
In a related statement on X, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the airstrikes were conducted in cooperation with the Nigerian government, adding that the administration had made it clear that killings linked to extremist violence in Nigeria must stop.
The US Africa Command also confirmed the operation, stating that American forces, working with Nigerian authorities, struck ISIS positions in Sokoto State on December 25, 2025, killing several fighters.
Nigeria has continued to face persistent attacks by extremist groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), particularly in the North-East and North-West regions.
Trump had earlier warned that the US could take direct military action if extremist violence in Nigeria was not curtailed.
Since returning to office, he has authorised military strikes in several regions, including Yemen, Somalia and parts of the Middle East.
