President Trump said on Thursday that the United States carried out an air strike against ISIS fighters in northwest Nigeria, in what he described as a response to attacks on civilians.
In a post on his Truth Social, Trump said the strike was launched at his direction and targeted ISIS militants operating in the region.
The US military’s Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the strike was carried out at the request of Nigerian authorities and killed “multiple ISIS terrorists.” It did not provide further details on casualties or damage.
AFRICOM said the operation took place in “Soboto state,” an apparent reference to Nigeria’s Sokoto State in the country’s northwest.
US War Secretary Pete Hegseth said on social media that the strike was conducted with the cooperation of the Nigerian government, adding that “more” actions could follow.
The strike comes weeks after Trump said he had instructed the Pentagon to plan for possible military action in Nigeria, citing concerns over attacks on Christian communities.
Nigeria’s government has previously rejected claims that Christians are being specifically targeted, saying armed groups attack both Muslim and Christian communities and that the violence reflects a complex security challenge rather than religious persecution.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday that the country was engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States, to address terrorism and violent extremism.
“This cooperation has resulted in precision air strikes against terrorist targets in the northwest,” the ministry said in a statement.
There were no immediate reports of civilian casualties. Images circulating on social media showed debris consistent with missile fragments near a village in Sokoto State, according to local media.
Trump announced the strike on Christmas Day while spending the holiday at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.
