By Newspot Nigeria Global Desk
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, December 25, 2025, said American forces carried out airstrikes targeting Islamic State (ISIS) militants in northwest Nigeria, describing the operation as “powerful and deadly.”
In the statement, posted on Truth Social, Trump claimed the targeted militants had been “viciously killing” civilians, “primarily” Christians, and said the strike was ordered under his authority as Commander in Chief.
Separately, reporting citing U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) indicates the strike was conducted at the request of Nigerian authorities and resulted in the deaths of multiple ISIS militants, though detailed operational information, including precise location specifics and a full battle damage assessment, has not been fully disclosed publicly.
The development has sparked fresh debate about Nigeria’s evolving security threats in the northwest and the growing international focus on extremist networks operating across parts of the Sahel and West Africa. Analysts have also urged careful interpretation of violence drivers in Nigeria, noting that conflict dynamics in affected regions can include criminality, local disputes, and extremist infiltration, rather than a single-factor explanation.
Newspot Nigeria will continue to track official statements from both Abuja and Washington and provide verified updates as more details emerge.
Newspot Nigeria
