WASHINGTON/LAGOS, December 25, 2025 – U.S. military forces carried out targeted strikes against ISIS terrorist camps in Nigeria’s Sokoto State on Christmas Day, in a significant operation coordinated with Nigerian authorities, according to an official statement from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).
The operation, authorized by the President of the United States and the Secretary of War, marks a notable escalation in direct U.S. military action within Nigeria, a nation grappling with a complex web of jihadist insurgencies.
Strikes Target ISIS Strongholds in Northwest
AFRICOM confirmed the strikes were conducted against ISIS-affiliated terrorists operating in Sokoto State, located in Nigeria’s restive northwest region. While specific details about the nature of the strikes or the assets used were withheld for operational security, the command stated its initial assessment indicates “multiple ISIS terrorists were killed” in the camps.
General Dagvin Anderson, commander of U.S. Africa Command, framed the action as part of broader security cooperation. “U.S. Africa Command is working with Nigerian and regional partners to increase counterterrorism cooperation efforts related to on-going violence and threats against innocent lives,” Anderson said. “Our goal is to protect Americans and to disrupt violent extremist organizations wherever they are.”
Context: Deepening Security Cooperation and Regional Threats
The Christmas Day operation follows public acknowledgments from both Nigerian and U.S. officials about enhanced military collaboration. Last week, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated the country “remains engaged in structured security co-operation with international partners, including the United States of America,” which had already “led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.”
This region has seen a surge in violence from militant groups, including factions of Boko Haram that have pledged allegiance to ISIS, forming the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The group has expanded its operations from its traditional stronghold in the northeast into northwestern states like Sokoto, Kaduna, and Niger, challenging both Nigerian security forces and rival jihadist factions.
Sovereignty and Strategy: A Delicate Balance
The direct involvement of U.S. forces on Nigerian soil touches on sensitive issues of national sovereignty. In recent comments, Daniel Bwala, an adviser to President Bola Tinubu, emphasized that while Nigeria welcomes international support, it remains a “sovereign” country and that any military action “should be carried out together.”
AFRICOM’s statement explicitly noted the strikes were conducted “in coordination with Nigerian authorities,” underscoring the partnered nature of the mission. This aligns with the Tinubu administration’s public commitment to work with international allies to address security challenges that “affect people across faiths and regions.”
U.S. Africa Command stated it will continue to assess the results of the operation and provide further information as appropriate. The command refrained from releasing specific operational details to maintain security for future missions.
The strikes represent a clear signal of the United States’ intent to take a more direct, kinetic role in counterterrorism efforts in West Africa, even as it operates through partnerships with national governments like Nigeria’s.
