The United States military carried out targeted strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) militants in north-western Nigeria on Christmas Day, with the Pentagon warning that further action is imminent. The operation, conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities, marks a significant escalation in US involvement against jihadist groups in the Sahel region.
Joint Operations and Intelligence Sharing
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the strikes, stating they were a direct response to the ongoing killing of Christians in Nigeria. "The president was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end," Hegseth wrote on social media platform X. "The [Pentagon] is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight – on Christmas. More to come."
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar provided crucial context, revealing that the operation was part of "joint ongoing operations" between the two nations. He confirmed that Nigerian intelligence was pivotal in targeting the ISIS camps located in Sokoto state. Tuggar detailed a swift diplomatic process, involving a 19-minute call with US counterpart Marco Rubio, authorisation from Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, and a final five-minute confirmation call.
"We have been working closely with the Americans," Tuggar told Channels Television. "This is what we've always been hoping for... to combat terrorism, to stop the death of innocent Nigerians. It's a collaborative effort." The US Africa Command (Africom) corroborated this, stating the strikes were executed in coordination with Nigerian authorities.
Local Impact and Broader Conflict
Residents of Jabo village in Sokoto described scenes of panic and confusion as the strikes hit. "As it approached our area, the heat became intense," said local Abubakar Sani. Farmer Sanusi Madabo reported the sky glowing a bright red for hours, "almost like daytime." Neither US nor Nigerian officials have yet disclosed casualty figures from the raids.
The violence in Nigeria is complex, often framed along religious lines internationally but rooted in local competition for resources. Nigeria's population is nearly evenly split between Muslims (53%) and Christians (45%). While groups like Islamic State – Sahel Province (ISSP) operate in Sokoto's forests, the government emphasises that armed groups target both religious communities. "It is not targeting any religion," Tuggar stressed, framing the operation as about "protecting Nigerians and innocent lives."
A Shift in US Foreign Policy?
This intervention comes despite former President Donald Trump's 2024 campaign rhetoric positioning himself as a "candidate of peace" who would end "endless wars." The first year of his second term, however, has seen military action in several theatres, including Yemen, Iran, Syria, and now Nigeria.
Trump claimed personal direction of the Nigeria strikes on his Truth Social platform, stating, "I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was." The action follows a period of diplomatic tension after Trump accused Nigeria's government of failing to protect Christians.
The conflict data underscores the scale of violence in Nigeria. According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (Acled) project, nearly 6,000 incidents of violence have occurred in the country in 2025, with roughly half targeting civilians. Sokoto state itself has recorded 353 incidents this year, the fourth highest in Nigeria.
With officials on both sides signalling "more to come," the Christmas Day strikes appear to herald a new, more direct phase of international military engagement in Nigeria's multifaceted security crisis.
