The United States has confirmed that it carried out deadly airstrikes against Islamic State-linked targets in north-western Nigeria, with President Donald Trump vowing more attacks if the killing of Christians continues, even as the Federal Government acknowledged ongoing security and intelligence cooperation with Washington.
The operation has, however, drawn criticism from a prominent Islamic cleric and terrorists’ backer, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, who warned that US involvement could polarise the country and undermine its sovereignty.
Trump, writing on his Truth Social platform late Thursday, December 25, 2025, said the strikes were conducted at his direction and targeted ISIS militants allegedly responsible for the killing of Christians in parts of the North-West.
Trump said, “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians. The Department of War had executed “numerous perfect strikes.”
He warned that the US would escalate its actions if the killings continued, declaring that “there would be hell to pay” for the perpetrators.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a separate post on X, confirmed that the strikes were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities, saying he was “grateful for Nigerian government support and cooperation.”
US Africa Command also stated that the operation, conducted on December 25 in Sokoto State, resulted in the killing of multiple ISIS terrorists.
The strikes came a day after a bomb attack on a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, killed at least five worshippers and injured dozens in what officials suspect was a suicide bombing, underscoring the persistent threat posed by extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.
In a statement on Friday, December 26, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Nigeria maintains “structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States,” aimed at combating terrorism and violent extremism.
The ministry said the collaboration that led to the precision airstrikes involved intelligence sharing, strategic coordination, and other forms of support conducted in line with international law and respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.
The ministry said, “Nigeria reiterates that all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity”, adding that violence against Christians, Muslims or any other community “remains an affront” to national and global peace.
However, the operation has stirred sharp criticism at home.
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, reacting in a Facebook post, condemned the US strikes as potentially divisive and dangerous for Nigeria.
While acknowledging that fighting terrorists is an Islamic duty, he argued that such action should not be outsourced to foreign powers whose past actions, he claimed, include civilian casualties.
He urged the Federal Government to halt military cooperation with Washington and instead seek “neutral countries” like China, Turkey and Pakistan for assistance.
He warned that US involvement under the banner of protecting Christians could fuel sectarian tension and “attract real anti-US forces,” turning Nigeria into a theatre of war.
Describing the reported strike location in Sokoto as symbolic, Gumi said the operation risked being interpreted as a “neo-Crusade” against Islam, particularly as it occurred around Christmas and in a predominantly Muslim region.
As debate intensifies over the geopolitical and domestic implications of the action, the Federal Government said it would continue to provide updates through official channels, reaffirming its commitment to collaboration that weakens terrorist networks while prioritising the protection of civilians and national unity.
