On December 25, 2025, the United States conducted airstrikes against alleged Islamic State (ISIS)-linked militant camps in northwestern Nigeria’s Sokoto State. President Donald Trump described the operation as a “powerful and deadly” response to militants he accused of primarily targeting and killing Christians, and he later referred to it as a deliberate “Christmas present” to the terrorists by delaying the strikes for symbolic effect.
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the strikes were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities, using precision munitions to target two camps in remote areas, reportedly killing multiple militants with no initial reports of civilian casualties. The Nigerian government emphasized that the operation relied on shared intelligence and aimed to disrupt foreign ISIS elements infiltrating from the Sahel region, while downplaying any religious framing of the conflict.
Trump has long portrayed violence in Nigeria as a targeted genocide against Christians, a claim repeatedly contested by Nigerian officials and analysts who describe the country’s insecurity as multifaceted—driven by banditry, ethnic tensions, resource conflicts, and jihadist activity that affects Muslims and Christians alike. Local residents in affected areas, such as the village of Jabo where debris fell, reported no prior history of anti-Christian militant presence and expressed confusion over the strikes.
The timing drew sharp criticism, coinciding with a separate suicide bombing at a mosque in Borno State that killed worshippers, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of extremist violence. Defense experts questioned the long-term efficacy of isolated airstrikes, arguing they may offer tactical gains but risk escalating instability without addressing root causes like governance failures.
This action fits into increased U.S. military engagement in Africa under Trump, including recent strikes in Somalia. While supporters praised it as decisive protection for persecuted communities, critics highlighted concerns over sovereignty, potential civilian risks, diplomatic strains, and the politicization of counterterrorism efforts.
Ongoing questions surround the strikes’ transparency, effectiveness in degrading militant networks, and alignment with broader U.S. goals in the region, as civilians continue to bear the brunt of Nigeria’s persistent security challenges.
