What Is Known About US Air Strikes in Nigeria

Questions remain over the strategy and scope of the United States air strikes that targeted militant positions in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day.

US President Donald Trump was the first to announce the strikes, prompting initial concern in Nigeria over possible violations of sovereignty. Both Washington and Abuja later confirmed that the operation was conducted with the approval of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.

Nigeria’s Information Minister Mohammed Idris said the strikes were carried out with the “full involvement of the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” indicating coordination between the two countries’ militaries.

Washington said the targets were militants linked to the Islamic State group, while US Africa Command reported multiple casualties without specifying locations or groups. Nigerian authorities said two Islamic State-linked enclaves in the Bauni forest area of Tangaza Local Government Area in Sokoto were hit.

However, analysts questioned the choice of location, noting that northwestern Nigeria is more affected by armed criminal gangs, commonly known as bandits, than by jihadist groups. The epicentre of Nigeria’s long-running Islamist insurgency remains in the northeast, particularly Borno state.

Security analysts said a strike in the northeast would have been more consistent with Nigeria’s counterterrorism priorities, though officials from both countries have indicated that further operations may follow.

According to Nigerian authorities, the strikes were conducted using guided missiles launched from Reaper drones operating from maritime platforms in the Gulf of Guinea. Some debris reportedly fell in parts of Sokoto and neighbouring Kwara state. The government said no civilians were injured.

Nigeria has faced an insurgency since 2009 led by Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province. In recent years, several armed groups have emerged in the northwest, with some researchers linking a group known as Lakurawa to Islamic State affiliates operating in the wider Sahel region.

Concerns have also been raised about the possible expansion of Al-Qaeda-linked groups into Nigeria following recent cross-border attacks.

The timing of the strikes has drawn attention, coming weeks after Trump accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christian communities—claims rejected by the Nigerian government and independent analysts, who note that victims of violence include both Muslims and Christians.

Security experts said the Christmas Day strikes may signal the beginning of broader US involvement in Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts, with more significant operations potentially ahead.