BREAKING: US Military Unleashes Coordinated Airstrike on Terrorist Camps in Nigeria

The United States has carried out a coordinated airstrike targeting Islamic State (ISIS) militants in northwest Nigeria, in an operation conducted in collaboration with Nigerian authorities, according to US Africa Command (AFRICOM).

US President Donald Trump confirmed the strike on Thursday, saying he had ordered a “powerful and deadly” attack on ISIS fighters accused of persecuting Christians in Nigeria.

In a post on social media, Trump said the operation targeted ISIS camps in Sokoto State, which borders Niger, describing the militants as responsible for the killing of “innocent Christians.”

AFRICOM confirms strike, Nigerian cooperation

AFRICOM said the strikes were carried out in Sokoto State and that its initial assessment indicated that multiple ISIS fighters were killed at the targeted camps.

“The strikes were conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities,” AFRICOM said in a statement.

In a separate post on X (formerly Twitter), later deleted, AFRICOM indicated that the operation was conducted at the request of Nigerian authorities.

CNN said it had reached out to both AFRICOM and the White House for further clarification.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a post on X, thanked the Nigerian government for its “support and cooperation” in the counterterrorism operation.

Nigeria confirms joint action against terrorism

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed cooperation with the United States on airstrikes against what it described as “terrorist targets,” reiterating the country’s commitment to protecting the rights of all citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity.

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, told CNN that both countries were aligned in the fight against terrorism.

“The US and Nigeria are on the same page in the fight against terrorism,” Bwala said.

Trump escalates rhetoric on religious persecution

Trump, who has repeatedly highlighted the plight of Christians in Nigeria in recent months, said the strike followed earlier warnings to militant groups.

“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He added that the US would not allow “radical Islamic terrorism” to flourish under his leadership, praising the US military for executing what he described as “numerous perfect strikes.”

Trump is currently spending the Christmas holiday at his Palm Beach estate.

Tinubu calls for peace, religious tolerance

On Christmas Eve, President Tinubu issued a Christmas Goodwill Message, wishing Christians in Nigeria and around the world a merry Christmas and calling for peace among people of different faiths.

“I stand committed to doing everything within my power to enshrine religious freedom in Nigeria and to protect Christians, Muslims, and all Nigerians from violence,” Tinubu said in a post on X.

Broader security context

Nigeria has struggled for years with complex security challenges driven by insurgency, banditry, communal violence, and competition over land and resources. Analysts note that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of attacks by extremist groups.

Earlier this year, Trump accused Nigeria of religious freedom violations, claiming Christianity faced an “existential threat” in the country and designating Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” under the US International Religious Freedom Act.

While Trump has positioned himself as a global peacemaker and pledged to limit foreign military interventions, he has also authorised military actions since returning to office, including strikes on Iran’s nuclear programme and a significant military buildup near Venezuela.