US Launches Airstrikes on Islamic State-Linked Militants in Northwestern Nigeria

The United States has carried out airstrikes against Islamic State (IS)-linked militants in northwestern Nigeria, marking a rare expansion of US counterterrorism operations outside the country’s long-troubled northeast.

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According to the US Department of Defense, the strikes targeted militant camps operating in Sokoto state, near Nigeria’s border with Niger. An initial assessment indicated multiple militant fatalities, the US military said.

Trump Confirms Strikes, Calls IS a Terrorist Threat

US President Donald Trump confirmed the operation in a Christmas Day social media post, describing the strikes as “powerful and deadly” and vowing that the United States would not allow “radical Islamic terrorism to prosper.”

Trump accused IS-linked militants of targeting civilians, including Christians—claims that Nigerian officials later disputed.

Nigeria Says Operation Was Joint and Non-Religious

Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar told that the strikes were part of a jointly coordinated operation using intelligence provided by Nigeria.

“This has nothing to do with religion,” Tuggar said, adding that the strikes had been planned “for quite some time” and were solely aimed at terrorists killing Nigerian citizens. He also did not rule out further US-led strikes.

Eyewitness Accounts and Local Disputes

Residents near the village of Jabo reported explosions late Thursday night. Eyewitness Umar Jabo said locals initially thought a plane had crashed after seeing flames in nearby fields. Social media images showed civilians filming burning debris following the strike.

However, local leaders denied the presence of IS fighters in the area. Lawmaker Bashar Isah Jabo said the impact site was located less than 500 meters from a hospital, raising concerns among residents.

Which Group Was Targeted?

Security analysts believe the strikes may have targeted a relatively new IS-aligned splinter group operating in northwestern Nigeria.

Conflict analyst Bulama Bukati said the faction known locally as Lakurawa originated in the Sahel region and has gradually established camps in Sokoto and Kebbi states over the past two years. The group is accused of imposing strict social rules and launching attacks on local communities.

Nigeria’s largest IS affiliate, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), remains primarily active in the northeastern state of Borno, far from Sokoto.

Religious Violence Claims Disputed

The Trump administration has previously accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians and has designated the country a “country of particular concern” over alleged religious freedom violations.

However, data from ACLED, which tracks global political violence, shows most victims of jihadist violence in Nigeria have been Muslims, and that attacks affect communities across religious lines.

Broader US Counterterrorism Campaign

The Nigeria operation follows another major US action against IS last week in Syria, where US Central Command said American and allied forces struck more than 70 militant targets across central regions of the country.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hogsett praised Nigeria’s cooperation, while the Nigerian foreign ministry confirmed continued structured security collaboration with international partners to combat terrorism.