United States President Donald Trump has announced that American forces carried out deadly airstrikes against Islamic State militants in north‑western Nigeria, vowing further attacks if extremists continue targeting Christians.
In a post on his Truth Social platform late Thursday, Trump said the strikes were directed at “ISIS Terrorist Scum” in Sokoto State, describing them as “powerful and deadly” and executed by the Department of War.
He warned that militants would “pay hell” if they did not stop the killing of Christians.
“Under my leadership, our country will not allow radical Islamic terrorism to prosper,” he wrote, adding a Christmas message that included praise for the U.S. military.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed the president’s remarks in a separate post on X, expressing gratitude for Nigerian government cooperation.
“The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria must end. The Department of War is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas,” he said.
US Africa Command confirmed the strikes in Sokoto State, noting they were conducted “at the direction of the President of the United States and the Secretary of War, and in coordination with Nigerian authorities.”
Nigeria Confirms Security Cooperation, Cleric Warns of Sovereignty Risks
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement Friday confirming ongoing intelligence and security collaboration with the United States.
Spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said the cooperation involves intelligence sharing, strategic coordination, and precision targeting in line with international law and respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.
The ministry stressed that counter‑terrorism efforts are guided by the protection of civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights of all citizens regardless of faith or ethnicity.
It added that terrorist violence against Christians, Muslims, or other communities remains “an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security.”
The strikes came a day after a suspected suicide bombing at a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, killed five people and injured dozens, underscoring the persistent threat posed by Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).
However, prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi criticised the U.S. involvement, warning that foreign military action could polarize Nigeria and infringe on national sovereignty.
In a Facebook post, he argued that while annihilating terrorists is an Islamic obligation, such action should be undertaken by “clean, holy hands” rather than foreign powers.
Gumi urged the government to halt cooperation with Washington and instead seek assistance from “neutral countries” such as China, Turkey, and Pakistan.
He described the Sokoto strikes as symbolic of a “neo‑Crusade war against Islam,” questioning why attacks were launched in a predominantly Muslim region with no immediate threat, while Maiduguri faced greater danger.
Trump’s Geopolitical Context
The strikes mark the latest in a series of U.S. military actions under Trump, who has authorised operations in Yemen, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Syria, and other regions since taking office in January.
Last month, he warned he would cut off U.S. aid to Nigeria and “go in guns‑a‑blazing” if the government failed to stop extremist killings of Christians.
Nigeria’s government insists cooperation with international partners is essential to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt financing, and prevent cross‑border threats.
Yet critics argue that reliance on foreign powers risks turning Nigeria into a theatre of war and deepening religious and political divisions.
As Nigeria balances it’s concerns for respects of its sovereignty with the need for external support, the debate over U.S. involvement could feature prominently in the political discourse ahead of the 2027 elections.
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Wow, just like that? What has the Nigerian Government said about it?