The United States has carried out a series of airstrikes against Islamic State–linked militants in northwestern Nigeria, marking a significant intensification of Washington’s involvement in the country’s long-running security crisis.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced the strikes on Thursday, describing them as “powerful and deadly” operations aimed at militants he said were responsible for brutal attacks on civilians. In a post on social media, Trump accused the fighters of “viciously targeting and killing, primarily, innocent Christians.”
The strikes come as Nigeria’s military continues to struggle against a wide range of armed groups across the country, stretching its resources thin and highlighting the scale of the challenge facing Africa’s most populous nation.
A Boost for an Overstretched Nigerian Military
Nigeria has been battling insurgent and extremist groups for more than a decade, often with limited manpower and equipment. While the military regularly conducts airstrikes and ground operations—particularly in states such as Sokoto—it remains under pressure as violence persists in multiple regions at once.
The U.S. intervention is seen by analysts as a critical show of support for Nigerian forces, which are frequently outgunned and forced to fight on several fronts. In recent years, Nigeria has increased recruitment into its security services in an effort to regain control of vast, hard-to-police areas.
Trump had already signaled tougher action in November, when he instructed the U.S. military to prepare options to counter Islamist extremist groups operating in Nigeria.
Ongoing Security Cooperation With Washington
Nigeria’s foreign ministry confirmed on Friday that the strikes were the result of ongoing cooperation with international partners, including the United States. In a statement, the ministry said this collaboration had led to “precise attacks on terrorist targets” in the country’s northwest.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria remains a religiously tolerant nation, stressing that insecurity affects communities “irrespective of religions and regions.”
The U.S. has previously labeled Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over religious freedom, a designation that allows for sanctions. Trump has argued that extremist violence poses an “existential threat” to Christians in the country, though Nigerian officials and analysts say the crisis cuts across religious lines.
A Complex Conflict With Deep Roots
While Christians are often highlighted as victims, data shows that many of those killed by jihadist groups in Nigeria—especially in the northeast—have been Muslims. Groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) have killed thousands over the past decade, according to conflict monitoring organization ACLED.
In the northwest, a lesser-known Islamic State affiliate known as the Islamic State’s Sahel Province—locally referred to as Lakurawa—has gained influence. U.S. and Nigerian authorities have not said which specific group was targeted in the latest strikes.
Experts note that militant groups thrive in remote areas where government presence is weak. These regions often suffer from extreme poverty, food insecurity, and high unemployment, conditions that make recruitment easier.
Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Christopher Musa, has previously acknowledged that military force alone cannot solve the crisis, estimating that armed action accounts for just 30% of the solution. The remaining 70%, he said, depends on improved governance, development, and addressing the root causes of instability.
