On December 25, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that American forces had carried out a military strike against Islamic State (ISIS) militants in northwest Nigeria, marking a rare publicly acknowledged U.S. counterterrorism operation in that part of the country. Trump made the announcement in a post on his Truth Social account while spending the Christmas holiday at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
The U.S. military later confirmed the operation in a statement from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), which said the strike was conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities. According to AFRICOM, the attack targeted ISIS camps in Sokoto State, an area that has experienced rising militant activity in recent years. The command said its initial assessment indicated that multiple ISIS fighters were killed, but it did not identify any individuals targeted or provide further casualty details.
AFRICOM declined to release information about the specific aircraft or weapons systems used, citing operational security concerns. The Pentagon later published short video footage showing a missile launch from a U.S. Navy vessel. Media reporting suggested the strike likely involved cruise missiles fired from a warship operating offshore, though U.S. officials have not publicly confirmed the type of munitions involved.
U.S. officials said no American troops were deployed on the ground in Nigeria during the operation. AFRICOM added that it would continue reviewing the effects of the strike, including any unintended consequences, and would release additional information if appropriate.
Nigerian officials publicly welcomed the U.S. action, framing it as part of ongoing security cooperation between the two countries. Nigeria’s foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, described the strike as a joint effort based on shared intelligence. He emphasized that the operation was aimed at armed extremist groups that have carried out attacks on civilians and security forces, and stressed that the campaign against militancy is not directed at any religious or ethnic community.
The strike took place amid ongoing concerns about the spread of ISIS-linked militants beyond northeastern Nigeria, where the Boko Haram insurgency and its offshoots have operated for more than a decade. In recent years, armed groups in northwest Nigeria have carried out kidnappings for ransom, raids on rural communities, and assaults on military positions, contributing to displacement and instability across the region.
While ISIS activity in Nigeria has most often been associated with the Lake Chad Basin, U.S. and Nigerian officials have increasingly warned that ISIS-linked networks are seeking to expand their presence into other parts of the country. The operation in Sokoto State reflects those concerns and highlights the evolving security environment faced by Nigerian authorities.
International reaction to the strike was measured. United Nations officials reiterated calls for transparency and for all counterterrorism operations to comply with international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians. The African Union reaffirmed its opposition to terrorism while emphasizing the importance of coordinated approaches led by regional governments.
Trump framed the strike as part of his administration’s broader effort to confront ISIS and related groups worldwide. In his online statement, he said the United States would continue to pursue militants who threaten American interests or regional partners, regardless of where they operate.
On social media, the announcement prompted mixed reactions. Supporters praised the action as a demonstration of resolve against extremist groups, while critics raised concerns about the risks of foreign military involvement and warned that such strikes could be used by militant organizations for recruitment or propaganda purposes.
Following the operation, Nigerian security forces in parts of northwest Nigeria were reportedly placed on heightened alert. Authorities said they were monitoring the situation closely, though there were no immediate reports of retaliatory attacks by ISIS-affiliated groups.
The December 25 strike reflects the continued U.S. focus on counterterrorism cooperation in Africa at a time when militant groups remain active across several regions of the continent. While limited in scope, the operation illustrates the challenges facing governments and their partners as they seek to contain extremist violence in complex and shifting conflict zones.
USA = Green
Nigeria = Orange
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