THE UNITED States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has confirmed that a U.S. military airstrike was conducted in Sokoto State, northwest Nigeria, on December 25, 2025, targeting Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists.
The operation, carried out at the request and in coordination with Nigerian authorities, marks a significant escalation in international military support for Nigeria’s fight against spreading extremist violence.
The confirmation follows an initial announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the strike against terrorists in the region.
While Trump did not specify the location, AFRICOM later identified Sokoto State as the site, stating the action killed “multiple ISIS terrorists” and demonstrated a commitment to “eliminating terrorist threats against Americans at home and abroad.”
The command emphasised the strikes were executed “at the direction of the President of the United States and the Secretary of War, and in coordination with Nigerian authorities.”
Nigerian officials have formally acknowledged the operation, framing it within existing bilateral security cooperation.
A statement from the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that “precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West” resulted from “coordinated intelligence sharing and strategic engagement” with international partners, particularly the United States.
The statement stressed that all actions adhere to international law and respect Nigerian sovereignty.
A Daily Trust report quoted an eyewitness, Attahiru Madawaki Jabo, recounting a loud explosion that shook houses, with an object hitting the ground on the outskirts of Jabo Town and bursting into flames, causing panic among residents.
The operation occurs against a complex backdrop of long-running violence in Nigeria’s northeast, a region increasingly plagued by terrorism and banditry linked to jihadist networks.
While Trump had repeatedly expressed U.S. concern recently around violence targeting Christians, analysts note the situation is multifaceted.
Extremist groups like ISIS-affiliated factions have attacked both Muslim and Christian communities, and conflicts are also driven by ethnic tensions and competition over resources.
The Nigerian government’s statement sought to address these nuances, asserting that counter-terrorism efforts are “guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives” and safeguarding all citizens “irrespective of faith or ethnicity.”
The statement also outlined a broader strategy of working with partners to disrupt terrorist financing and logistics.
The confirmed strike highlights the deepening international dimension of Nigeria’s security challenges and raises questions about the future scope of foreign military involvement.
While some citizens welcome decisive action against insurgents, others express concern over transparency and long-term sovereignty implications.
The Nigerian government has assured the public it will continue to engage partners responsibly through established diplomatic channels.
