US strikes Nigeria as Trump warns of further air strikes, AFRICOM confirms ISIS militants killed in North-West

By Johnson Arua

United States President Donald Trump has warned that additional U.S. military attacks will follow if Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists continue killing Christians in Nigeria, revealing that he personally authorised recent airstrikes against the group in the country’s North-West region.

Trump made the disclosure on Thursday in a post on his Truth Social platform, where he confirmed that U.S. forces carried out what he described as “numerous perfect strikes” against ISIS elements operating in North-West Nigeria. He said the militants had been targeting and killing Christians at alarming levels.

“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,” Trump wrote.

According to him, the operation followed earlier warnings issued to the terrorists to halt attacks on Christians or face severe consequences. He said the U.S.
Department of War executed the operation with precision, stressing Washington’s resolve to confront radical Islamic terrorism wherever it exists.

In a Christmas message accompanying his remarks, Trump warned that further military action would occur if the killings persist, reiterating his administration’s commitment to protecting innocent lives and combating terrorism.

Reacting to the development, U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the operation sent a strong message to ISIS, noting that the United States was acting in line with its earlier warnings. He also acknowledged the cooperation of the Nigerian government in the operation.

“The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria must end,” Hegseth said in a post on X, adding that the Department of War was prepared to act decisively.

Meanwhile, the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed that multiple ISIS terrorists were killed during the strikes carried out on December 25, 2025, in Sokoto State.

The command said the operation was conducted at the direction of the U.S. President and Secretary of War, in coordination with Nigerian authorities.

The development signals an escalation in U.S. military involvement against ISIS elements operating in Nigeria, particularly through collaboration with Nigerian security agencies.

In a related statement, the Federal Government of Nigeria on Friday confirmed that the country remains engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States, to tackle terrorism and violent extremism.

A press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the recent airstrikes in the North-West were the result of ongoing intelligence sharing and strategic coordination with international partners, conducted in line with international law and respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.

The government stressed that the protection of civilians remains central to all counter-terrorism efforts, adding that terrorist violence against any group, whether Christians, Muslims, or others, is unacceptable and contrary to Nigeria’s values.

The Ministry further stated that Nigeria would continue to work with its partners to weaken terrorist networks, disrupt their funding and logistics, and strengthen national security and intelligence capacity, while keeping the public informed through official channels.