The United States has pledged to carry out further military strikes against Islamic State targets in Nigeria, following a controversial Christmas Day operation that President Donald Trump said was intended to halt the slaughter of Christians.
Christmas Day Strikes and US Vow of More Action
American forces, acting in coordination with the Nigerian government, targeted militant camps in the country's north-western region on 25 December 2025. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth swiftly issued a warning to militants on social media platform X, stating that more action was imminent.
Hegseth wrote that the president had been unequivocal, declaring that 'the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end'. He added that the Pentagon was prepared and that ISIS 'found out tonight – on Christmas. More to come'.
The strikes followed a diplomatic dispute sparked by former President Donald Trump accusing Nigeria of failing to protect its Christian population. Trump announced the 'powerful and deadly' operation on his Truth Social platform, directing credit for the action taken against what he termed ISIS 'terrorist scum'.
Confusion and Contradictions in the Aftermath
In the wake of the surprise strikes, a degree of confusion emerged as Washington and Abuja presented slightly differing accounts. While both nations agree the attacks hit targets linked to Islamic State, neither provided immediate, clear details on which specific armed groups were struck among Nigeria's many militant factions.
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar confirmed the operations were joint, with President Bola Tinubu giving final authorisation and Nigeria supplying intelligence. However, Tuggar later claimed that while he and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had agreed on a joint statement, Washington rushed out its own announcement first.
Complicating the narrative were revelations that the strikes had been delayed by Trump, who reportedly stated, 'nope, let's give a Christmas present', prioritising the symbolic date. It was not until late on 26 December, almost 24 hours later, that Nigeria's Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, clarified the targets as two major ISIS enclaves in Sokoto state's Tangaza district.
Domestic Reaction and Sovereignty Concerns
The military action has provoked mixed reactions within Nigeria and raised questions about national sovereignty. While President Tinubu's administration stated it 'welcomes' American assistance, analysts suggest the public cooperation may have been a move to avert the unilateral US military action Trump threatened a month earlier.
Criticism has been sharp from some quarters. Activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore highlighted the initial lack of verifiable information. The main opposition party, the People's Democratic Party, slammed the government for allowing 'foreign powers' to announce security operations on Nigerian soil before its own authorities.
On the ground, residents in areas like Offa in Kwara state reported damage from falling debris, with images showing crumbled buildings and scattered belongings. No civilian casualties were reported. The Nigerian government stated the strikes involved 16 GPS-guided precision munitions launched from maritime platforms in the Gulf of Guinea and MQ-9 Reaper drones.
The strikes have also divided opinion in the US Congress. Democrat Representative Debbie Dingell criticised the White House for providing 'very little' information to lawmakers, calling it a 'continuing pattern' and asserting that Congress should be involved in decisions about military escalation.
With the US framing the violence in religious terms—a characterisation rejected by the Nigerian government and independent analysts—and the deliberate timing for Christmas, critics argue the operation appears heavy on symbolism. Despite the controversy, both nations have indicated that further strikes remain a possibility.
