US Confirms Targeted Attacks on IS-Linked Militants in Sokoto State
The United States has confirmed that it carried out air strikes against Islamic State (IS)-linked militants in north-western Nigeria, marking a rare US military intervention in this part of the country.
According to the US military, the strikes targeted terrorist camps operating in Sokoto State, a region close to Nigeria’s border with Niger. An initial assessment suggests that multiple militants were killed, although the full impact of the operation is still being reviewed.
The attacks reportedly took place late on Thursday night, causing alarm among local residents.
Trump Calls Christmas Day Strikes “Powerful and Deadly”
US President Donald Trump confirmed the strikes in a Christmas Day social media post, describing them as:
“Powerful and deadly”
Targeting what he called “terrorist scum”
Aimed at stopping attacks on civilians, including Christians
Trump added that he would “not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper”, reinforcing his administration’s hard-line stance against jihadist groups worldwide.
Nigerian Government Confirms Joint Military Operation
Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, told the BBC that the strikes were part of a jointly planned operation between Nigeria and the United States.
He stressed that:
The mission had nothing to do with religion
Intelligence for the strikes was provided by Nigeria
Planning had been underway for a long time
Further strikes were not ruled out
“This was not about Christmas. It could have happened on any day. It is about attacking terrorists who have been killing Nigerians,” Tuggar said.
Eyewitnesses Describe Chaos After Night-Time Strike
Residents near the village of Jabo in Sokoto State described confusion and fear following the explosions.
Eyewitness Umar Jabo told BBC News:
People initially thought a plane had crashed
Flames were seen burning in nearby fields
Locals gathered to film the aftermath
Images shared on social media appeared to show smouldering wreckage, though the exact target remains disputed.
However, Jabo denied that IS fighters were present in his community, saying:
“We live peacefully here. There is no conflict between us and Christians.”
Conflicting Claims Over Presence of IS Fighters
Local lawmaker Bashar Isah Jabo also rejected claims that the area hosted IS militants. He said:
The strike landed less than 500 metres from a hospital
No members of IS or its splinter groups lived in the village
Despite these claims, security analysts suggest the operation likely targeted a new IS-aligned group known locally as Lakurawa.
Rise of IS-Linked Group “Lakurawa” in North-West Nigeria
According to Nigerian human rights lawyer and conflict analyst Bulama Bukati, the strikes likely targeted Lakurawa, a smaller IS-aligned group that:
Originated in the Sahel region
Began entering Nigeria around 2018
Established camps in Sokoto and Kebbi states
Has imposed strict social rules on local communities
Carried out repeated attacks over the past 18 months
Nigeria’s largest IS-linked group, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), remains based in the north-east, far from Sokoto.
US-Nigeria Security Cooperation Continues
Nigeria’s foreign ministry confirmed on Friday that the country remains engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States.
A statement said this cooperation had led to:
Precision air strikes on terrorist targets
Continued intelligence sharing
Joint efforts to counter violent extremism
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly thanked Nigeria for its cooperation, adding a brief “Merry Christmas!” message on social media.
The US Department of Defense later released a short video appearing to show a missile launch from a naval vessel, though no specific location was confirmed.
Debate Over Religious Violence in Nigeria
The Trump administration has previously accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians and has claimed a “genocide” is taking place.
As a result:
Nigeria was designated a “country of particular concern”
The label allows for US sanctions over religious freedom violations
However, violence monitoring groups such as ACLED say:
There is no evidence Christians are targeted more than Muslims
Most victims of jihadist violence in Nigeria have been Muslims
Attacks affect communities across religious lines
Nigeria’s population is roughly evenly divided between Christians and Muslims.
Wider Conflict Across Nigeria
Nigeria has faced more than a decade of violence from jihadist groups such as Boko Haram and IS offshoots, particularly in the north-east.
In central Nigeria:
Clashes between Muslim herders and Christian farmers are common
Disputes often centre on land and water access
Thousands have died in cycles of revenge attacks
Atrocities have been committed on both sides
Second Major US Strike Against IS in Recent Weeks
The Nigeria operation follows another major US military action earlier this month.
Last week, US Central Command said it carried out a “massive strike” against IS in Syria, involving:
Fighter jets
Attack helicopters
Heavy artillery
Over 70 targets hit
That strike came after three Americans were killed in an IS ambush.
Conclusion
The US air strikes in Nigeria highlight growing concerns about the expansion of IS-linked groups into new regions of West Africa. While both governments describe the operation as a necessary counter-terrorism effort, local disputes and conflicting accounts underline the complexity of Nigeria’s security challenges.
As cooperation between Nigeria and the US continues, the situation in Sokoto and surrounding areas remains tense and closely monitored.
References
BBC News
BBC World Service
US Department of Defense
US Central Command (CENTCOM)
ACLED (Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project)
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