US Airstrike on ISIS in Nigeria: A major development has emerged on the international politics and security front. On Christmas night, when the world was celebrating, the US military carried out a “powerful and lethal” strike on ISIS positions operating in Nigeria. The operation was confirmed by US President Donald Trump himself. Trump described the action as a tough step taken to protect innocent communities, especially Christians.
Christmas night ‘Operation Sokoto’: What happened in Nigeria?
On the night of December 25, 2025, the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), in coordination with the Nigerian government, carried out a carefully planned airstrike. The attack was focused on Nigeria’s northwestern state of Sokoto, which is considered a stronghold of ISIS.
- Precision airstrikes: According to the Pentagon, high-tech precision missiles were used to ensure that civilian casualties were avoided.
- Targeted locations: Based on intelligence inputs, terrorist camps were targeted from where plots were being hatched to attack churches and local villages in recent days.
- Casualties: Initial reports indicate that several terrorists were killed, although an exact assessment is still underway.
Donald Trump’s tough message: ‘Peace through Strength’
President Trump announced the success of the mission on his social media platform, Truth Social. He made it clear that this was not just a military action, but a part of his broader foreign policy.
“On my orders, the US military has delivered a devastating blow to ISIS positions in Nigeria. These are the people who were slaughtering innocent Christians. We remain committed to our policy of ‘Peace through Strength.’” – Donald Trump
Trump warned that if religious persecution and violence in Nigeria do not stop, the US would not hesitate to strike again with “Overwhelming Force.”
Pentagon releases ‘Combat Footage’: Missiles launched from the sea
The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) released an official video of the operation, which has created a stir on social media. The video shows missiles being launched from a warship in the darkness of night.
Experts believe that the sea-launched missiles demonstrate how strong America’s reach is across West Africa’s coastal regions. This US Airstrike on ISIS in Nigeria video has instilled fear among terrorists, as it directly targeted and destroyed their logistics and training centers.
Religious violence and political pressure in the US
In recent years, cases of violence against Christians and other communities have increased in Nigeria. Within the US, there was also significant pressure from Republican leaders and evangelical groups that, compared to the Biden administration, the Trump administration should take tougher action.
Back in October 2024, Trump had indicated that Christianity in Nigeria was facing an “existential threat.” Since November, US drones and reconnaissance aircraft had been active over regions like Sokoto and Borno, making it clear that a major operation was in the pipeline.
Reaction from the Nigerian government and AFRICOM
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has supported the strike, while also highlighting an important point. Nigerian officials stated that:
- Victims of terrorism include not only Christians, but Muslim communities as well.
- This operation was the result of “Joint Coordination” against a common enemy.
- Nigeria welcomes foreign cooperation while respecting its sovereignty.
Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a brief but impactful message on X (formerly Twitter) — “This is just the beginning. More to come…” This indicates that counter-terrorism operations in Africa could intensify in the coming days.
For more information, you can visit the official website of the U.S. Department of Defense.
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Utkarsh works as a Sub-Editor at 1Tak News. Technology and gadgets are his main beats, and he also tracks automobiles. A graduate of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, he began his journalism career in 2023 and has built experience across digital media platforms like 1Tak. Besides technology, he also has considerable experience covering national affairs, politics, research, and international news.
