US President Donald Trump has announced airstrikes against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria, targeting groups accused of viciously killing Christians, in a move coordinated with the Nigerian government following months of warnings.
President Donald Trump directed the United States military to launch powerful airstrikes on December 25, 2025, against ISIS terrorists in northwest Nigeria’s Sokoto region, claiming the group had been targeting and killing innocent Christians at unprecedented levels.
US Military Strikes ISIS in Nigeria
The United States carried out airstrikes against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria, as announced by President Donald Trump on Thursday, December 25, according to The Economic Times. Trump described the action in a post on Truth Social, stating: “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!” US military reports indicated multiple ISIS terrorists and targets were killed in the overnight strikes, according to CNN reporting.
As reported by CNN correspondents, the strikes took place in the northern Sokoto region of Nigeria, bordering Niger, and were carried out in coordination with the Nigerian government.
Background to US Warnings and Nigerian Violence
The airstrikes follow months of warnings from President Trump that the US could take military action to halt violence against Christians in Nigeria, as detailed in CNN coverage. According to The Economic Times, Trump and the US military highlighted the ISIS attacks on Christians in the region as a key factor prompting the response.
Nigerian Government Response
Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs commented on the attack, while a Nigerian presidential spokesperson and adviser stated that the US and Nigeria are aligned in tackling security concerns, per CNN. The Economic Times reported that Nigeria’s government views Trump’s prior threats as unwarranted and misrepresenting the country’s complex security challenges, with officials noting they are fully aware of the significant anxiety levels.
Implications of the Coordinated Strikes
According to CNN, US Central Command confirmed multiple Islamic State targets and militants were killed in the deadly strikes, though detailed impact assessments remain pending at this stage. The action underscores ongoing US efforts against ISIS affiliates in Africa, coordinated with local partners like Nigeria to address terrorism targeting specific communities.
President Donald Trump announced US airstrikes on ISIS in northwest Nigeria on December 25, killing multiple militants amid claims of attacks on Christians, in coordination with Nigerian authorities as reported by The Economic Times and CNN.
