The United States has launched airstrikes against what President Donald Trump described as “Islamic State militants’ scum” in Nigeria. The US Africa Command said the strikes were carried out “in coordination with Nigerian authorities” in Sokoto State.

A US official told Reuters that the operation killed multiple targets.

Trump, who was at his Mar-a-Lago residence, announced the military intervention on his social media platform, Truth Social, saying:

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander-in-Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing primarily innocent Christians at levels not seen for many years, and even centuries.

“I have previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughter of Christians, there would be hell to pay — and tonight, there was.

“The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing. Under my leadership, our country will not allow radical Islamic terrorism to prosper.”

Strikes were part of intelligence cooperation

Nigeria, which continues to battle multiple armed groups, said the US strikes were part of intelligence sharing and strategic coordination between both countries.

The country’s security crisis affects both Christians, who are predominant in the South, and Muslims, who form the majority in the North.

Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a Muslim, called for peace and unity, “especially between individuals of differing religious beliefs.”

He added: “I remain committed to doing everything within my power to uphold religious freedom in Nigeria and protect Christians, Muslims and all Nigerians from violence.”

The US airstrikes targeting Islamic State militants in northwestern Nigeria marked a significant escalation in efforts to combat insurgency in a region where Nigeria’s overstretched military has struggled for years.

Last week, the US also launched strikes aimed at “eliminating ISIS fighters, infrastructure and weapons sites” in Syria, according to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

A US official described the Syria operation as “large-scale,” targeting about 70 locations across central Syria believed to house IS infrastructure and weapons facilities.

Who were the targets?

Nigeria’s armed groups include at least two factions linked to the Islamic State group — the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), an offshoot of Boko Haram operating mainly in the northeast, and the lesser-known Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP), locally referred to as Lakurawa, which is active in the northwest.

Although officials did not specify which faction was targeted, security analysts believe the operation was likely directed at Lakurawa fighters, who have become increasingly deadly in border states such as Sokoto and Kebbi over the past year, often attacking remote communities and security personnel.

The Nigerian military has previously said the group originated from neighbouring Niger Republic and became more active in Nigeria’s border communities following the 2023 military coup in Niger.

The coup strained relations between Nigeria and Niger and disrupted joint multinational military operations along their porous border.

The deteriorating security situation in northern Nigeria drew global attention in November after more than 230 pupils and staff were abducted by gunmen from St Mary’s Catholic boarding school in Niger State. They were released on December 22.

Armed gangs in Nigeria frequently target schools and communities for ransom.