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.
The attack comes months after Trump threatened military action over what he described as an “existential threat” to Christianity in Nigeria, a claim the local government rejects.
The US Army’s Africa Command (AFCOM) said the strike was carried out at the request of Nigerian authorities in northwestern Sokoto state.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said he was “grateful” for the Nigerian government’s support and cooperation.
Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry confirmed “concrete strikes on terrorist targets”, and said the government was guided by its intention to protect the lives of all citizens, regardless of their faith.
According to a statement posted on the ministry’s X account, terrorism against any religious community in the country is “an affront to Nigeria’s values and international peace and security.”
Why did America attack Nigeria?
In the Truth Social post, Trump said the reason for the attack was the targeting of “primarily innocent Christians” by the Islamic group, which he said had reached levels “not seen in many years.”
Trump’s post said, “Under my leadership, our country will not allow radical Islamic terrorism to flourish.”
The US State Department recently announced its intention to restrict visas for Nigerian citizens involved in violence against Christians in the country.
Washington has also designated Nigeria 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.
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.
Boko Haram in particular has concentrated its attacks in the north-western state of Sokoto.
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, as it is one of at least three Boko Haram splinter groups operating in Nigeria.
Edited by: Farah Bhagat