US carries out strikes on Islamic State-linked militants in Nigeria
The United States has confirmed air and missile strikes against militants linked to the Islamic State in north-western Nigeria. This marks a rare US military action in that part of the country.
According to the US military, the strikes targeted militant camps in Sokoto State, close to Nigeria’s border with Niger. An initial assessment indicated multiple fatalities, though the full impact of the operation has yet to be confirmed.
US President Donald Trump described the Christmas Day operation as “deadly”, accusing the group of carrying out attacks against civilians. In comments posted online, he said the US would not allow what he termed “radical Islamic terrorism” to expand.
Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar told the BBC about the operation. It was conducted jointly with Nigerian authorities. He rejected any suggestion that religion had played a role.
“This has nothing to do with Christianity or Islam,” he said. “It is about terrorists who have been killing Nigerians.” He added that the strikes had been planned over an extended period using intelligence provided by Nigeria, and did not rule out further action.
The Nigerian government has spent years battling jihadist violence, primarily in the north-east, where groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State-linked factions have killed thousands. However, militant activity in the north-west, including Sokoto, is a more recent development.
Residents in the village of Jabo described panic following the explosions late on Thursday night. One local man told the AFP news agency that the blast shook the entire area. Another told BBC News that many initially believed an aircraft had crashed nearby. Social media footage appeared to show flames burning in open fields after the strike.
Some locals disputed claims that militants were present in the area. A village resident stated that there had been no conflict between Muslim and Christian communities. A local lawmaker insisted there were no Islamic State fighters nearby. They also warned that the strike had landed close to a hospital.
The Trump administration has previously criticised Nigeria. It claims there is a failure to protect Christian communities from extremist attacks. At times, it describes the situation as a genocide. Nigerian officials strongly deny this claim. Washington has designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over religious freedom. This status can lead to sanctions.
Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation, with an estimated 220 million people, divided roughly evenly between Christians and Muslims.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington was grateful for Nigeria’s cooperation. The Pentagon later released footage that appeared to show a missile being launched from a US naval vessel.
In a statement on Friday, Nigeria’s foreign ministry said it was engaged in ongoing security cooperation with international partners. These partners include the United States. The goal is to address what it called the “persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism”. It confirmed that the collaboration had resulted in “precision air strikes” in the north-west.
Security analysts say the strikes may have targeted a newer Islamic State-aligned faction. This faction has expanded into north-western Nigeria in recent years. The largest IS-linked group in the country is Islamic State West Africa Province. It remains concentrated in the north-east, particularly in Borno State.
The operation in Nigeria follows another major US strike against Islamic State targets in Syria last week. This was carried out in response to an attack that killed three Americans.