United States' Airstrikes Against Nigeria (2025)

United States airstrikes against Nigeria are aerial operations conducted by the United States on 25 December 2025 against targets in northwestern Nigeria alleged to be linked to the terrorist organization DAESH (ISIS). These strikes were publicly announced by U.S. President Donald Trump and have been described by both the Nigerian government and U.S. authorities as carried out within the framework of structured security and intelligence cooperation.

U.S. authorities stated that the airstrikes were carried out in regions of northwestern Nigeria, particularly within the boundaries of Sokoto State. The operations have been characterized as “precision airstrikes” targeting elements affiliated with the terrorist organization DAESH. In statements issued by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, these military activities were described as part of the structured security and intelligence cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced via social media that the strikes were conducted under his direct orders. In his statements, Trump identified armed elements operating in northwestern Nigeria and linked to DAESH as the targets. He claimed these groups had carried out attacks against civilians and asserted that the operation resulted in the neutralization of numerous “terrorists.”

It is noted that Trump had previously commented on Nigeria’s security situation, notably in October 2025, when he listed Nigeria among countries of “special concern” due to incidents of violence and warned of the possibility of military intervention. The 25 December 2025 announcements marked the implementation of these prior warnings through actual military operations.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, in a statement following the strikes, confirmed that the operations were executed in accordance with the President’s directives. Hegseth thanked the Nigerian government for its cooperation and support and indicated that airstrikes could continue.

The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) stated that the operations were conducted in coordination with Nigerian officials. AFRICOM announced that the airstrikes targeted DAESH elements in Sokoto State and reported that “numerous DAESH members were killed” as a result of the operation.

In a written statement issued on 25 December 2025, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the U.S.-conducted airstrikes were carried out within the framework of structured security and intelligence cooperation between Nigeria and the United States. The statement emphasized Nigeria’s continued commitment to international partnerships, led by the United States, in combating terrorism and violent extremism.

The ministry’s statement further noted that this cooperation encompasses intelligence sharing, strategic coordination, and operational support, and that all activities were conducted within the framework of international law, based on respect for sovereignty and mutual consent. Assessments highlighted that the airstrikes were “precise” and targeted specific terrorist entities in northwestern Nigeria.

Nigerian government statements explicitly affirmed that the protection of civilians remains a primary principle in counterterrorism operations. It was stated that safeguarding the rights and dignity of all citizens, without regard to religion or ethnic origin, is a fundamental state policy of Nigeria.

The same statements emphasized that any terrorist act targeting Christians, Muslims, or other faith groups contradicts Nigeria’s core values and that such attacks threaten not only national security but also regional and international peace.

In response to earlier U.S. statements classifying Nigeria among countries of “special concern,” Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stated that his country “does not tolerate religious persecution” and asserted that such categorization does not reflect reality. Tinubu’s remarks were issued in reaction to U.S. President Trump’s assessments from October 2025.

Nigerian authorities have repeatedly stated in official communications that armed groups operating within the country do not target only one religious community but also civilians of different faiths and ethnic backgrounds. This has reinforced the official position that the security threat cannot be reduced to a single-dimensional religious framework.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in a statement following the U.S. airstrikes and related public assessments, clarified that claims suggesting terrorist groups in the region target only Christians are inaccurate. ECOWAS stated that armed groups target civilians indiscriminately, regardless of whether they are Muslim, Christian, or belong to other faith communities.