The United States has launched what President Donald Trump described as “powerful and deadly strikes” against Islamic State (IS) elements operating in north-western Nigeria, marking a significant escalation in Washington’s counter-terrorism posture in West Africa.
Trump disclosed the development in a post on his Truth Social platform late Thursday, accusing the extremist group of carrying out brutal attacks against civilians, particularly Christians.
He referred to IS fighters as “terrorist scum” and said the US military executed “numerous perfect strikes,” though he did not provide details on the timing, locations, or targets of the reported operation.
“Under my leadership, our country will not allow radical Islamic terrorism to prosper,” Trump wrote.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also acknowledged the operation, expressing appreciation for Nigeria’s cooperation. In a brief message, he said he was “grateful for Nigerian government support and cooperation,” adding a Christmas greeting.
However, as of the time of filing this report, Nigerian authorities have not issued an official statement confirming or denying the reported strikes. There has also been no independent verification of the targets hit or casualties recorded.
In November, Trump had directed the US military to prepare for possible action against Islamist militant groups in Nigeria, citing concerns over rising insecurity.
The president has repeatedly claimed that Christians in Nigeria face an “existential threat,” assertions that have generated controversy both within Nigeria and internationally.
Conflict monitoring organisations and human rights groups, including the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), have consistently stated that there is no evidence suggesting Christians are being disproportionately targeted compared to Muslims.
Nigeria’s insurgency has claimed thousands of lives across religious lines, with Muslim civilians forming the majority of victims, particularly in the North-East.
An adviser to President Bola Tinubu, Daniel Bwala, previously told the BBC that while Nigeria welcomes international cooperation, any military action must respect the country’s sovereignty and be carried out jointly.
“Nigeria would welcome US assistance in tackling insurgency, but this is a sovereign nation,” Bwala said, stressing that extremist groups attack people of all faiths.
President Tinubu has also maintained that Nigeria’s security crisis is not religiously motivated, describing it as a national challenge affecting communities across regions and beliefs.
He has repeatedly reaffirmed the country’s commitment to religious tolerance.
Trump recently designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged violations of religious freedom a classification used by the US State Department that could lead to sanctions.
Nigerian officials responded by pledging continued engagement with the US and the international community to protect all citizens regardless of faith.
Nigeria has battled jihadist violence for more than a decade, mainly from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), particularly in the North-East. In central regions, longstanding clashes between herders and farmers often framed along religious lines have also contributed to widespread insecurity.
Meanwhile, the US last week announced it carried out a “massive strike” against Islamic State targets in Syria, signalling a broader intensification of its global counter-terrorism operations.
