The United States has carried out air strikes on suspected Islamic State fighters in Nigeria’s northwest, marking a rare foreign military action in the region and sparking renewed debate about international involvement in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.
The strikes reportedly targeted members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), an ISIS affiliate that is mainly active in Nigeria’s North-East and the Lake Chad Basin but is believed to be expanding operations into other parts of the country, including the North-West.
US Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the operation, saying the air strikes were conducted at the request of Nigerian authorities as part of ongoing security cooperation between both countries.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), AFRICOM said the action demonstrated the United States’ commitment to counter-terrorism efforts. “Lethal strikes against ISIS demonstrate the strength of our military and our commitment to eliminating terrorist threats against Americans at home and abroad,” the command stated.
US President Donald Trump also announced the operation on his Truth Social platform, describing the strikes as “powerful and deadly.” He said the targets were ISIS fighters operating in Northwest Nigeria whom he accused of attacking and killing civilians, particularly Christians.
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in Northwest Nigeria,” Trump wrote. He added that the Department of War had carried out “numerous perfect strikes,” warning that further attacks would follow if killings continued.
Trump’s comments follow earlier threats made in November, when he said the US could intervene militarily in Nigeria if attacks on Christians persisted. Some US lawmakers have previously claimed that Christians face genocide in parts of Nigeria, an allegation the Nigerian government has repeatedly rejected.
Reacting to the air strikes, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the operation was part of a structured and lawful security partnership with international allies. In a statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government said the strikes were “precision hits” aimed at terrorist targets in the North-West.
“Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism,” the statement said.
According to the ministry, the cooperation includes intelligence sharing, strategic coordination, and other forms of support carried out in line with international law and respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.
The federal government stressed that all counter-terrorism operations are guided by the need to protect civilian lives and uphold the rights of all Nigerians, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
“Terrorist violence in any form, whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security,” the statement added.
The government also reaffirmed its commitment to working with international partners to dismantle terrorist networks, cut off their funding and logistics, prevent cross-border threats, and strengthen Nigeria’s own security and intelligence capabilities.
