US Strikes ISIS in Nigeria After Trump Cites Attacks on Christians

President Donald Trump announced the strikes on Christmas Day, saying US forces had carried out what he described as “powerful and deadly” attacks on Islamic State fighters operating in Nigeria’s northwest. In a statement posted on social media, the US president accused the militants of targeting and killing Christians and said the operation followed earlier warnings that such violence would not be tolerated.

According to US Africa Command, the strikes targeted camps linked to Islamic State affiliates near Nigeria’s border with Niger and resulted in the deaths of several militants. American officials said the operation was conducted in coordination with the Nigerian military and followed weeks of intelligence-gathering and planning.

A US military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the operation involved air and missile strikes against two identified militant camps in Sokoto State. The official added that surveillance flights over northern Nigeria in recent weeks had helped identify targets associated with Islamic State networks.

In his announcement, President Trump framed the operation as a direct response to what he characterised as religiously motivated violence. “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorists in northwest Nigeria,” he said, accusing the group of killing “primarily innocent Christians”.

Trump also praised the US military for executing the mission and said Washington would not allow extremist groups to operate with impunity. Senior US officials echoed that message, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stating on social media that the administration had been clear that attacks on civilians, including Christians, must end.

The strikes come days after the United States carried out a large-scale operation against Islamic State targets in Syria, underscoring a renewed willingness by Washington to use military force against the group across multiple regions. US officials said the Nigeria operation was part of broader counterterrorism efforts aimed at disrupting extremist networks and preventing further attacks.

Nigerian authorities confirmed that the strikes were carried out with their knowledge and cooperation. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigeria remained engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States, to address terrorism and violent extremism.

“Terrorist violence in any form, whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security,” the ministry said, stressing that the operation respected Nigeria’s sovereignty and international law.

Nigeria has faced years of insecurity driven by a mix of jihadist insurgencies, criminal banditry, and communal violence. Islamist groups, including Boko Haram and its offshoots, have carried out mass-casualty attacks on civilians, religious institutions, and security forces, particularly in the country’s northeast. Other regions, including the northwest where the US strikes occurred, have been affected by armed gangs and militant groups operating across porous borders.

While President Trump and some US lawmakers have described the violence as a targeted campaign against Christians, Nigerian officials and analysts argue the situation is more complex. Nigeria’s population of about 220 million is roughly evenly divided between Christians and Muslims, and victims of militant attacks include members of both faiths.

Data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data group indicates that more than 12,000 people were killed by various violent groups in Nigeria this year, making it one of the world’s deadliest conflict environments despite the country not being formally at war.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has previously rejected claims that Nigeria is religiously intolerant, saying the country’s constitution guarantees freedom of worship and protection for all citizens. Nigerian officials have also pushed back against suggestions of a Christian genocide, noting that militant groups often target communities regardless of religion.

Context

The US strikes highlight growing international concern over insecurity in West Africa and the spread of Islamic State-linked groups beyond their traditional strongholds in the Middle East. They also reflect political pressure within the United States, where some lawmakers and advocacy groups have urged stronger action to protect religious minorities abroad.

However, US military officials have cautioned that airstrikes alone are unlikely to resolve Nigeria’s deeply rooted security challenges. Analysts note that extremist groups often operate in decentralised networks and exploit local grievances, poverty, and weak governance.

President Trump has signalled that further action could follow if attacks continue, while Nigerian authorities have emphasised the need for sustained cooperation and a broader approach that prioritises civilian protection. The long-term impact of the US intervention will depend on whether military action is matched by political, economic, and security reforms aimed at addressing the underlying causes of violence in Nigeria.