The United States has carried out a series of coordinated air strikes on ISIS-linked fighters in Sokoto, north-west Nigeria.
The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), the ISIS arm operating in Nigeria, normally maintains its presence around the north-east and Lake Chad region.
US President Donald Trump confirmed the offensive in a Truth Social post, describing the operation as “powerful and deadly”.
United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the action followed an official request from Nigerian authorities.
“Lethal strikes against ISIS demonstrate the strength of our military and our commitment to eliminating terrorist threats against Americans at home and abroad,” AFRICOM stated.
Trump had, in November, warned that Washington might intervene directly in Nigeria, after alleging that Christians were facing sustained extremist attacks.
Announcing the air raid, Trump declared: “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!
“I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was.
“The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing. Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper.
“May God Bless our Military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.”
Nigeria’s ministry of foreign affairs, in a statement issued by Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the strikes formed part of structured cooperation with security allies.
The ministry noted that the “precision hits” were in line with ongoing international security arrangements.
“Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism,” the statement reads.
“This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.”
According to the ministry, collaboration with Washington involves intelligence sharing, strategic coordination and actions carried out within legal and diplomatic frameworks.
“In line with established international practice and bilateral understandings, this cooperation includes the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and shared commitments to regional and global security.
“Nigeria reiterates that all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity.
“Terrorist violence in any form whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security,” the statement added.
The federal government also assured that international collaboration would continue to strengthen internal security capacity.