USA President Donald Trump announced the military attack against the Islamic State in Nigeria on December 25, 2025. The operation targeted group camps in the country’s northwest, specifically in Sokoto state. The USA justified the action as a response to attacks against Christian civilians in the region.
Donald Trump presented the attack as a direct consequence of his previous warnings to the militants. The USA had previously designated Nigeria as a «country of particular concern» for religious freedom, based on reports of violence against Christians. The Trump administration’s narrative emphasized the protection of Christians as the central motivation for intervention in Nigeria.
USA confirms attack against Islamic Group in Nigeria
The USA Africa Command (AFRICOM) indicated that the attack was carried out «at the request of the Nigerian authorities». Preliminary reports point to the use of Tomahawk missiles launched from a vessel in the Gulf of Guinea. Initial USA assessments reported the death of «multiple terrorists» from the Islamic State, though without specific casualty figures.
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USA Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth thanked the Nigerian government for its cooperation and suggested that «there will be more» operations. Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the «structured cooperation» with international partners, including the USA, which resulted in «precision impacts» in the northwest.
Context of political tensions
In the weeks prior, Donald Trump accused the Nigerian government of failing to stop the persecution of Christians. Trump threatened to suspend aid to Nigeria and ordered the Pentagon to plan a possible «shoot-to-kill» military action in the country. These statements generated friction between the USA and Nigeria.
Nigerian authorities rejected the characterization of the conflict as religious. Nigeria argued that terrorist groups attack Muslims and Christians alike, and that the country’s security crisis has complex causes that transcend a religious framework. Analysts pointed out that Sokoto state, the target of the attack, has a predominantly Muslim population.
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Official Nigerian stance
Nigeria described the operation as part of its security cooperation with international partners. The Nigerian government emphasized that terrorist violence constitutes an affront to its values, regardless of the victims’ faith.
Nigerian authorities did not rule out new joint attacks, subordinating them to bilateral decisions. The USA action in Nigeria reflects the prioritization of a religious framework for complex conflicts, an approach that the Nigerian government and regional analysts consistently question.
