US President Donald Trump said he has ordered the country’s military to launch “powerful and lethal” strikes against so-called Islamic State (ISIS) targets in northwestern Nigeria.
In a Truth Social post, Trump labeled the Islamic organization “terrorist scum”.
According to Trump, the reason for the attack is the group’s targeting of “primarily innocent Christians”, which he said has reached a level “not seen in many years.”
Trump said, “Under my leadership our country will not allow radical Islamic terrorism to flourish.”
The US Army’s Africa Command (AFCOM) said the strike was carried out at the request of Nigerian authorities in northwestern Sokoto state.
Why did America attack Nigeria?
Trump has long threatened military action over what he describes as an “existential threat” to Christianity in Nigeria, while the local government has rejected the US administration’s claims.
The US State Department recently announced its intention to restrict visas for Nigerian citizens involved in violence against Christians in the country, while Washington has also designated Abuja a “country of particular concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act.
Which terrorist groups are active in Northern Nigeria?
Nigeria is battling a deadly Islamic insurgency in its northern regions.
Boko Haram in particular has concentrated its attacks in the north-western state of Sokoto.
According to Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission, at least 2,266 people were killed by bandits or insurgents in Nigeria during the first half of 2025 – surpassing the total number of such deaths in 2024.
After years of relative decline, Boko Haram terrorists have resumed their offensive in Nigeria in recent months.
A splinter group known as Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) has also carried out attacks in northeastern Nigeria, particularly Borno state. ISWAP has also been involved in conflict with Boko Haram. ISWAP is one of at least three Boko Haram splinter groups.