The United States of America has launched deadly airstrikes on terrorists in northern Nigeria,whom the American President, Donald Trump accused of persecuting Christians in the West African country.
The attack, on Christmas Day(December 25,2025),was confirmed by the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump.
Further explanation by the US Africa Command in a post on X said the attack was carried out in Sokoto State.
Confirming Trump’s post, the US Africa Command said it conducted a strike, which killed multiple terrorists who belong to the Africa branch of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
The Africa branch of the ISIS is known as the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).
“At the direction of the President of the United States and the Secretary of War, and in coordination with Nigerian authorities, U.S. Africa Command conducted strikes against ISIS terrorists in Nigeria on December 25, 2025, in Sokoto State,” the post by the US Africa Command reads.
Trump in an earlier post on Truth Social had said: “Tonight, at my direction as Commander-in-Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorists Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!
“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 Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.
“Under my leadership, our country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper.
“May God Bless our military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.”
The US Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, in a separate post on X (formerly Twitter) wrote: “The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end.
“The @DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas.
“Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation. Merry Christmas!”
Meanwhile,the Federal Government has confirmed ongoing security and intelligence cooperation between Nigeria and the United States following airstrikes that hit terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North West.
In a statement issued early Friday,December 26,2025, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, it said Nigerian authorities remained engaged in “structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America,” to address terrorism and violent extremism in the country.
The ministry said the collaboration, which led to precision airstrikes on terrorist targets, involves intelligence sharing, strategic coordination and other forms of support in line with international law, respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and shared security commitments.
“Nigeria reiterates that all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity,” the statement said.
It added that terrorist violence, “whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security.”
The statement reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to continue to work with its partners through established diplomatic and security channels to weaken terrorist networks, disrupt their financing and logistics as well as prevent cross-border threats.
The ministry said it would keep the public informed through appropriate official channels.
