The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has confirmed that it carried out targeted airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) militants in Nigeria’s Sokoto State on December 25, 2025, as part of coordinated counterterrorism operations with Nigerian authorities.
According to AFRICOM, the strikes were conducted at the direction of the President of the United States and the US Secretary of War, and targeted ISIS elements operating in north-western Nigeria. The operation forms part of broader efforts to weaken extremist groups that pose a threat to civilians, regional stability, and security forces in West Africa.
US President Donald Trump publicly confirmed the strikes in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, describing the operation in strong terms.
“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!” Trump said.
Sokoto State, located in Nigeria’s north-west near the border with Niger, has in recent years experienced rising insecurity linked to militant groups, banditry and cross-border criminal networks. While Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have traditionally been concentrated in Nigeria’s north-east, security analysts note that extremist activity has increasingly spread into other parts of the country, including the north-west.
AFRICOM said the strikes were aimed at degrading ISIS’s operational capabilities and preventing future attacks against civilians and Nigerian security forces. The command emphasised that the mission was conducted in close coordination with Nigerian authorities and in accordance with international law.
The US military did not immediately disclose the number of militants killed or whether there were any civilian casualties, noting that post-strike assessments were ongoing. AFRICOM reiterated that it takes extensive measures to minimise civilian harm during all operations.
In November, Trump warned that the United States could deploy troops or launch airstrikes in Nigeria to stop what he described as the killing of large numbers of Christians in the West African nation.
Nigeria has repeatedly called for enhanced international cooperation to combat terrorism, particularly in remote and border regions where militant groups exploit difficult terrain and limited state presence. The United States has maintained that its military engagement in Africa prioritises support for local partners rather than large-scale troop deployments.
The strikes come amid renewed concern about ISIS affiliates attempting to expand their footprint across parts of Africa, including the Sahel and coastal West African states, as insecurity, economic hardship and political instability continue to create fertile ground for extremist recruitment.
