By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
The United States has carried out airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day, President Donald J. Trump announced on Thursday.
In a statement posted on his official social media account, President Trump said the strikes were ordered at his direction as Commander-in-Chief, describing them as “powerful and deadly” operations against ISIS elements operating in the region. According to him, the targeted group had been responsible for sustained attacks on civilians, particularly Christians, in parts of northern Nigeria.
President Trump stated that the operation was intended to degrade the capabilities of the terror group and send a strong warning that the United States would not tolerate continued violence against innocent people. He added that the strikes were carried out with precision, crediting the US military for executing what he described as “numerous perfect strikes.”
“Under my leadership, our country will not allow radical Islamic terrorism to prosper,” the statement said, while also extending Christmas greetings and praise to the US armed forces.
The announcement has sparked reactions within Nigeria. Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has called on the Federal Government to immediately halt all military cooperation with the United States following the reported airstrikes.
Sheikh Gumi warned that American military involvement could worsen Nigeria’s already fragile security situation and undermine the country’s national sovereignty.
He cautioned that foreign intervention, rather than resolving the insurgency, could further complicate efforts to restore peace and stability in affected regions.
The development comes amid growing international concern over the expansion of ISIS-linked factions in West Africa. While Boko Haram has long dominated the extremist landscape in northeastern Nigeria, ISIS-affiliated groups have increasingly extended their influence into other parts of the country, including the northwest, where banditry and insurgent violence have intensified in recent years.
As of the time of publication, Nigerian authorities have not officially commented on the reported US airstrikes, and details regarding casualties or the extent of damage remain unclear. Security analysts note that foreign military actions in Nigeria are typically conducted in coordination with local forces, though such operations are often kept confidential for strategic reasons.
The reported Christmas Day strikes underscore Washington’s continued commitment to counterterrorism operations beyond the Middle East, as the fight against ISIS and its affiliates increasingly shifts toward Africa.
