The United States military, in coordination with Nigerian forces, conducted airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Sokoto state, northwestern Nigeria, in late December. These operations followed former US President Donald Trump's prior warnings of potential military action in Nigeria, citing the alleged killing of Christians by Islamist militant groups. Nigerian officials confirmed the joint operation but emphasized it targeted terrorists and was not religiously motivated. The strikes occurred amidst ongoing security challenges across Nigeria, including violence from jihadist groups, clashes between herders and farmers, and widespread banditry, and a recent attack in Kwara state killed at least 162 people.
US Military Operations in Sokoto State
On Thursday, December 25, the United States military carried out airstrikes against targets in Sokoto state, northwestern Nigeria. Former US President Donald Trump confirmed the strikes on social media, describing them as "powerful and deadly" and targeting "ISIS Terrorist Scum." The operations were coordinated with Nigerian forces, according to the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), which stated that a strike was conducted "at the request of Nigerian authorities... killing multiple ISIS terrorists."
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar characterized the operation as a "joint operation" targeting "terrorists," clarifying that it "has nothing to do with a particular religion."
He also noted that further strikes would depend on "decisions to be taken by the leadership of the two countries." Nigeria's foreign ministry confirmed its engagement in "structured security co-operation with international partners" leading to "precision hits on terrorist targets in the North West." US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude for "Nigerian government support & cooperation."
Local residents of Jabo village in Sokoto state reported observing a bright red glow and experiencing shaking rooms during the strikes. They reported no casualties in the village, and the affected area was subsequently cordoned off by security operatives. Analysts suggested the strikes may have targeted the Lakurawa group, a relatively recent entity composed primarily of foreign fighters from the Sahel region, which was officially recognized by the Nigerian government last year. However, experts state that direct ties between the Lakurawa group and the Islamic State remain unproven.
Former President Trump indicated that while he would prefer the December strikes to be a singular event, continued killings of Christians would lead to more military action.
US Rationale and Allegations of Christian Persecution
The airstrikes followed earlier directives from former President Trump to the US military to prepare plans for potential action in Nigeria. Trump had previously asserted that the Nigerian government was not adequately addressing the killing of Christians by Islamist militant groups. He warned he might deploy the military "guns-a-blazing" and threatened to cut all US aid to the country.
He also announced his intention to designate Nigeria a "Country of Particular Concern" due to what he described as an "existential threat" to its Christian population, citing "thousands" killed without providing specific evidence. This designation is used by the US State Department for countries engaged in severe violations of religious freedom and can lead to sanctions.
Other US politicians have echoed these concerns. Senator Ted Cruz stated on social media that over 50,000 Christians had been massacred since 2009, with thousands of churches and Christian schools destroyed, describing the situation as "persecution." His office accused Nigerian officials of "ignoring and even facilitating the mass murder of Christians."
Advocacy efforts in the US have included claims by groups such as the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) of promoting the "Christian genocide" narrative in the US Congress through lobbying.
Nigerian Government's Response to Allegations
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has consistently stated that religious tolerance exists within the country and that security challenges impact people "across faiths and regions." His government denied accusations of inaction against jihadist groups, affirming its commitment to collaborating with the US and the international community to safeguard all communities.
President Tinubu's advisor, Daniel Bwala, stated that Nigeria, while open to US assistance, remains a "sovereign" country and that jihadists do not target specific religions, having killed individuals of all faiths and none. Foreign Minister Tuggar also emphasized that the joint operation was not related to any specific religion.
Data and Divergent Reports on Violence in Nigeria
Nigeria's population is roughly evenly divided between Christians, predominantly in the south, and Muslims, mainly in the north. The claims of disproportionate targeting of Christians have been subject to scrutiny by various monitoring organizations.
Acled (Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project)
- Acled reports no evidence indicating Christians are killed more frequently than Muslims in Nigeria.
- Acled's data suggests that most victims of jihadist groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in north-eastern Nigeria have been Muslims.
- Since 2009, Acled data indicates approximately 53,000 civilians, including both Muslims and Christians, have been killed in targeted political violence.
- For the period between 2020 and September 2025, Acled recorded about 21,000 civilian deaths from various forms of violence and identified 384 incidents where Christians were specifically targeted, resulting in 317 deaths.
- Acled collects data from traditional media, verified social media reports, human rights groups, and local partners.
International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (InterSociety)
- This non-governmental organization, cited by Senator Cruz, claimed in a 2023 report that jihadist groups in Nigeria had killed over 100,000 Christians and 60,000 "moderate Muslims" between 2009 and 2025.
- For January to August 2025, InterSociety reported over 7,000 Christian deaths.
- However, a BBC analysis of InterSociety's cited sources for 2025 found approximately 3,000 deaths, with about half of the original news stories not specifying the religious identity of victims.
- InterSociety attributed discrepancies to further analysis, local knowledge, "Christian media reports," and estimates of deaths in captivity or unpublicized eyewitness testimonies.
- InterSociety also classifies Fulani herders as "jihadists," a classification disputed by many researchers who argue that clashes involving Fulani are primarily related to land and water resource competition, affecting both Muslim and Christian communities.
Open Doors
- A charity researching Christian persecution globally, cited by President Trump, reported 3,100 Christians and 2,320 Muslims killed in Nigeria during a 12-month period starting October 2023.
- Open Doors categorizes "Fulani Terror Groups" as perpetrators, attributing almost a third of Christian deaths during that time to them.
- A senior research fellow at Open Doors noted that while Christians are targeted, "increasingly some Muslims are targeted by Fulani militants."
Nigeria's Broader Security Landscape
Beyond the specific claims of religious persecution, Nigeria faces multiple, complex security challenges:
- Jihadist Insurgency: Boko Haram and ISWAP have been active in north-eastern Nigeria for over a decade, responsible for thousands of deaths.
- Herder-Farmer Clashes: In central Nigeria, frequent conflicts occur between predominantly Muslim herders and often Christian farming groups over access to water and pasture, leading to deadly cycles of reciprocal attacks. Human rights groups state there is no evidence that Christians have been disproportionately targeted in these clashes.
- Banditry and Kidnapping: Groups referred to as "bandits," often described as ethnic Fulanis, are active in the north-west and north-central regions, involved in widespread looting, kidnappings, and violence against both Christians and Muslims.
- Separatist Movements: The Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) is a proscribed group advocating for a breakaway state in the predominantly Christian south-east.
Recent Attack in Kwara State
Earlier this week, a separate incident of violence occurred in Kwara state, western Nigeria. Gunmen attacked Woro village and the neighboring Nuku village on Tuesday evening, initiating gunfire and setting fire to shops and houses.
Casualties and Impact
- The Red Cross reported a death toll of 162 people, with searches for additional bodies ongoing, making it the deadliest attack in Nigeria this year.
- The traditional chief of Woro, Umar Bio Salihu, reported that two of his sons were killed and his second wife and three daughters were abducted.
Perpetrators
- Local residents indicated the attackers had long advocated for locals to reject the Nigerian state and adopt Sharia law.
- President Tinubu broadly attributed the incident to the Islamist extremist Boko Haram movement.
- Kwara state is increasingly seen as an expansion area for various armed groups, including those affiliated with Islamic State like ISWAP and Lakurawa.
Government Response
- Kwara state Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq condemned the attack as a "cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells" following ongoing counterterrorism campaigns.
- President Tinubu deployed an army battalion to the affected area.
- Amnesty International's Nigeria office described the attack as "a stunning security failure."
Related Incident
- On the same day, an unrelated attack in Doma village, Katsina state, resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people.
The US airstrikes and the ongoing violence underscore the complex and multifaceted security situation in Nigeria, which continues to be a subject of international concern and debate regarding the nature of the conflicts.