The United States has confirmed carrying out airstrikes against suspected ISIS terrorist targets in Northwest Nigeria, following what it described as persistent attacks on innocent civilians, particularly Christians.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Christmas night, former US President Donald J. Trump said the strikes were launched at his direction as Commander in Chief, describing them as “powerful and deadly” actions against ISIS elements operating in the region.
Trump accused the terrorist group of “targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years,” adding that the operation was executed by the US Department of War with “numerous perfect strikes.”
“Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper,” Trump said, while extending Christmas greetings and praising the US military.
In a separate post, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth corroborated the operation, stating that the President had been clear that the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria and elsewhere must end.
“The @DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. More to come,” Hegseth wrote, adding that the US was grateful for the support and cooperation of the Nigerian government.
Reacting to the development, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the airstrikes were part of ongoing security cooperation and intelligence collaboration between Nigeria and its international partners, including the United States.
In a press release issued in Abuja on Friday, the ministry said the collaboration had resulted in “precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.”
According to the ministry, the cooperation aligns with international law and bilateral understandings, and includes intelligence sharing, strategic coordination and other forms of support that respect Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“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,” the statement said.
The Federal Government stressed that terrorist violence, whether directed at Christians, Muslims or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and international peace and security.
The ministry added that Nigeria would continue working with its partners through established diplomatic and security channels to weaken terrorist networks, disrupt their financing and logistics, prevent cross-border threats, and strengthen domestic security and intelligence capacity.
The statement was signed by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, and dated Friday, December 26, 2025.
