The United States has launched an airstrike operation against suspected ISIL (ISIS) fighters in Nigeria’s northwestern region, according to a statement from former US President Donald Trump.
In a post shared on his Truth Social account, Trump claimed the attack was carried out under his direct command, describing it as a decisive and lethal military action against extremist forces operating in the area.
He also alleged that ISIL militants had carried out violent killings—mainly affecting Christian communities—at a scale he described as historically extreme, though he did not present detailed evidence to support the claim.
The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the strike was executed following a request from Nigerian authorities, stating that multiple ISIL operatives were killed. The US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, publicly expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s cooperation and hinted at continued military pressure, without disclosing further specifics.
AFRICOM later clarified that the strike occurred in Sokoto State, correcting an earlier misspelling that referred to “Soboto.”
Nigeria Responds, Confirms Security Collaboration
Shortly after the announcement, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged ongoing structured counterterrorism cooperation with international partners, including the United States, aimed at curbing violent extremism.
The Nigerian government previously rejected claims of targeted religious persecution, emphasizing that armed groups in the country attack both Muslim and Christian populations. Officials also stressed that national security challenges should not be oversimplified or detached from Nigeria’s efforts to uphold religious freedom.
Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry reaffirmed that airstrike assistance from global allies had resulted in accurate hits on terrorist targets in the northwest region.
Meanwhile, journalists reporting from Lagos and Washington noted that the region of Sokoto—predominantly Muslim—has not been widely known for large-scale attacks on Christian communities. Local reports also mentioned circulating social media images of missile debris found outside a village in Sokoto, with no confirmed civilian casualties.