WASHINGTON, USA — United States forces carried out aerial strikes in north-western Nigeria on Christmas Eve following what officials on both sides described as joint counter-terrorism coordination between Washington and Abuja.
The action took place on Thursday, December 25, 2025, and targeted locations in Sokoto State.
According to security briefings contained in the reporting notes, the operation involved long-range unmanned systems launched from a U.S. military facility in Ghana, along with naval strike capabilities.
Statements from Washington and Abuja
Official acknowledgement of Christmas Day airstrikes later emerged from both capitals.
Social media posts by U.S. Africa Command stated that strikes against ISIS-linked elements in Nigeria were conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities.
Posts attributed to U.S. President Donald Trump said the action had been personally authorised in response to what he called the “vicious killing of innocent citizens” by ISIS-linked groups in northwest Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that real-time intelligence sharing had enabled “precision hits” on multiple terrorist targets.
The U.S. Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, indicated that additional missions may follow, writing on social media: “More to come…”
The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end.
The @DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. More to come…
Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation.
Merry Christmas! https://t.co/k5Q3Qd4ClE
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) December 25, 2025
Intelligence-led operation
Security officials familiar with the effort said the mission was preceded by sustained surveillance and intelligence fusion between United States personnel in Ghana and Nigerian military intelligence units.
A defence intelligence source said: “This was a carefully planned and highly selective operation. The surveillance architecture ensured that only confirmed terrorist combatants and logistics hubs were engaged.”
The same notes state that target areas were cleared prior to drone deployment and that civilian settlements and livestock were excluded from the strike zone.
Intercepted communications were described as showing a “massive convergence” of fighters travelling through Sahelian routes into Nigeria, with mobilisation reportedly involving elements from Burkina Faso and Mali.
The material further states that planned attacks were linked to Christmas and New Year festivities.
The cells struck were described as foreign-linked, including fighters associated with the Lakurawa and Jenni groups.
Strikes and deployment areas
The strikes were reported to have hit locations in north-western Nigeria, with U.S. Africa Command confirming that the mission was undertaken in coordination with Nigerian authorities.
At the direction of the President of the United States and the Secretary of War, and in coordination with Nigerian authorities, U.S. Africa Command conducted strikes against ISIS terrorists in Nigeria on Dec. 25, 2025, in Sokoto State.
— U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) (@USAfricaCommand) December 26, 2025
Real-time intelligence sharing was said to have enabled precision engagement of multiple targets.
Nigerian forces subsequently reinforced deployments in the Gudu, Tangaza and Binji Local Government Areas to prevent regrouping and to secure communities during the holiday period.
The operation relied on a 24-hour Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance loop, according to material provided by officials.
The notes also state that footage released by the Pentagon depicted at least one projectile launched from a U.S. naval platform.
Legal and regional context
According to the reporting notes, Nigeria’s designation of armed bandit groups as terrorists created a legal pathway for foreign military assistance involving kinetic strikes.
The operation was described as part of wider United States efforts to contain transnational jihadist activity and disrupt cross-border logistics in West Africa.
The material cites multiple security sources confirming the use of advanced long-range unmanned aerial systems and naval capabilities.
It also states that the strikes followed high-level diplomatic and security coordination.
Social media reactions and prior warnings
Several posts on social media referenced the strikes and prior warnings.
Messages posted by U.S. officials described the action as a response to attacks on civilians in Nigeria and said the Department of War was prepared to act.
In earlier posts, officials had called for the protection of Christians in Nigeria and warned that militant attacks must end.
Yes sir.
The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria — and anywhere — must end immediately. The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities. pic.twitter.com/C0v9RHGoS1
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) November 1, 2025
Statements attributed to a U.S. President Trump appeared in multiple posts on social media on Christmas Day, alongside a post the U.S. Africa Command confirming the operation.
Ongoing security posture
The reporting notes state that Nigerian and U.S. officials described the mission as a joint counter-terrorism effort.
Reinforcement of local deployments in affected areas of Sokoto State was said to be aimed at preventing renewed mobilisation by armed groups.
Officials cited in the notes said the U.S. objective includes preventing the expansion of cross-border jihadist networks in the Sahel and wider West African region.
No casualty figures or independent field assessments were included in the material provided.
