The United States carried out airstrikes against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, according to President Donald Trump and the US military. The strikes were conducted at the request of Nigerian authorities and targeted ISIS fighters in Sokoto state, killing multiple militants.
The US military’s Africa Command said the operation was part of ongoing security cooperation with Nigeria, involving intelligence sharing and strategic coordination to target militant groups. Trump stated that the Islamic State had been targeting and viciously killing primarily innocent Christians in the region, at levels “not seen for many years, and even Centuries”.
Nigeria’s government has a different perspective, saying armed groups target both Muslims and Christians, and disputing US claims of targeted persecution against Christians. Despite this, Nigeria has agreed to work with the US to strengthen its forces against militant groups ¹ ² ³.
Details of the Airstrikes:
– *Location:* Northwest Nigeria, specifically Sokoto state
– *Target:* Islamic State militants
– *Casualties:* Multiple ISIS militants killed
– *Cooperation:* Conducted at the request of Nigerian authorities, with US-Nigeria security cooperation ¹ ²
US-Nigeria Security Cooperation:
The US and Nigeria have been working together to combat terrorism in the region. The Nigerian Foreign Ministry said the strike was part of ongoing security cooperation with the United States, involving intelligence sharing and strategic coordination to target militant groups ².
Context:
The airstrikes come amid ongoing violence in Nigeria, where extremist groups have been targeting both Christians and Muslims. The US had designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act, citing concerns about religious freedom violations
Follow-up questions:
What is the current situation like in Nigeria regarding the Islamic State militant group? How has the Nigerian government responded to the US airstrikes?
