While many Nigerians slept on Thursday night and early Friday, the United States, with the consent of the Federal Government, carried out a military operation with precision airstrikes against Islamic State militants in northwestern Nigeria on Thursday night, U.S. and Nigerian officials confirmed.
The operation marks the first major U.S. military action on Nigerian soil this year and has sparked intense debate about the nature of violence in Africa’s most populous nation.
According to the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), the strikes were conducted “at the request of Nigerian authorities” and targeted ISIS-linked fighters in Sokoto State in northwest Nigeria. U.S. officials said the operation killed multiple militants, though precise casualty figures have not been released.
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar was quoted as saying it was a “joint operation” targeting “terrorists”, and it “has nothing to do with a particular religion”.
Tuggar did not rule out further strikes, saying this depended on “decisions to be taken by the leadership of the two countries”.
In a statement by its spokesman, Major-General Samaila Uba, the Defence Headquarters in Abuja confirmed the joint operation. It said:
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria, in conjunction with the United States of America, has conducted precision strike operations against identified foreign ISIS-linked elements operating in parts of North West Nigeria. The operation was executed with the approval of the appropriate Federal Government authorities and forms part of ongoing coordinated efforts to rid the country of terrorists and other criminal elements threatening national security.
“The strike followed credible intelligence and careful operational planning aimed at degrading the capability of the targeted elements while minimising collateral damage. The operation underscores the resolve of the Federal Government of Nigeria, working with strategic partners, to confront transnational terrorism and prevent foreign fighters from establishing or expanding footholds within Nigeria’s borders.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria reiterates its unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property and to supporting joint and inter-agency efforts to restore lasting peace and security across the country.”
President Donald Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform late Thursday, described the strikes as “powerful and deadly” and said they were aimed at “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!” He added that U.S. forces had executed “numerous perfect strikes” and that more actions could follow.
Trump’s framing of the operation has attracted global attention. The U.S. leader has in recent weeks repeatedly accused militant groups in Nigeria of targeting Christians, and earlier this year designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” under U.S. law — a label that can lead to sanctions — citing what he termed an “existential threat” to Christians.
However, analysts and Nigeria’s government argue the security crisis is far more complex than a simple religious narrative suggests. Nigerian officials have reiterated that extremist violence affects both Muslim and Christian communities, and that Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other groups have killed victims of all faiths.
Security experts also note that jihadist elements are expanding beyond the traditional northeastern strongholds of Borno and Yobe states into western and northwestern regions, including Sokoto — raising concerns about ungoverned areas becoming safe havens for extremists.
While the Pentagon has released limited details, video footage posted by U.S. authorities shows munitions being launched from a U.S. warship in the Gulf of Guinea, suggesting naval participation in the operation.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised Nigeria’s cooperation and hinted that additional operations could occur, while stressing the broader U.S. commitment to combating extremist threats.
The country has been battling Islamist insurgency for over a decade, most notably from Boko Haram and its ISWAP offshoot, which has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions in the northeast since 2009. In addition, central and northwestern regions have seen rising clashes involving bandits, ethnic militias and other extremist cells exploiting weak governance and poor security presence.
Just a day before the U.S. strikes, a suspected suicide bombing at a mosque in Maiduguri killed at least five worshippers and wounded dozens, underlining the ongoing security challenges across multiple fronts.
The strikes signal a deeper U.S. military involvement in Africa’s fight against jihadist groups at a time when global terrorism threats remain fluid. They come on the heels of other U.S. operations — including recent strikes against ISIS targets in Syria — underscoring a renewed transcontinental focus on extremist networks.
Analysts say the long-term success of such actions will depend on stronger regional cooperation, improved intelligence capacity, and robust strategies that address not only militant extremism but also the socio-economic conditions that fuel violence.
