The United States has carried out airstrikes targeting camps linked to the Islamic State (IS) group in north-western Nigeria, in an operation conducted jointly with Nigerian authorities.
According to the US military, the strikes hit militant camps in Sokoto State, close to the border with Niger, where extremist fighters have been attempting to establish a foothold. While exact casualty figures remain unclear, both US and Nigerian officials confirmed that militants were killed.
US President Donald Trump described the Christmas Day strikes as “deadly,” branding the targeted group as terrorists and accusing them of killing civilians. However, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar rejected any religious framing of the operation.
Speaking to the BBC, Tuggar said the strikes were the result of long-term planning and intelligence sharing, stressing that the operation had “nothing to do with religion” and was not connected to the Christmas holiday.
He confirmed that Nigeria provided intelligence support and did not rule out additional strikes if necessary.
The US military said an initial assessment pointed to multiple militant fatalities following the operation.
A local official in Tangaza, Isa Salihu Bashir, said the airstrikes hit camps operated by the Lakurawa group, a locally known faction with links to Islamic State networks. He added that several fighters were killed, although the full death toll could not be confirmed.
Border patrols in neighbouring Niger reportedly observed militants fleeing the targeted areas shortly after the strikes.
Nigeria has long battled extremist groups such as Boko Haram and IS-affiliated factions, mainly in the north-east. In recent years, however, the Lakurawa group has attempted to expand its presence into Sokoto State.
Nigerian authorities say the group has connections to jihadist networks in Mali and Niger, recruits youths from border communities, and enforces strict control over local populations.
In a statement issued late Friday, Nigeria’s Ministry of Information confirmed that the operation was carried out with the explicit approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and involved the full participation of the Nigerian armed forces.
The ministry also revealed that debris from munitions landed in two communities — Jabo in Sokoto State and Offa in Kwara State, about 600 kilometres away — but said no civilian casualties were recorded.
An eyewitness in Jabo, Umar Jabo, said residents saw what appeared to be an aircraft flash overhead before debris fell into nearby fields. He stressed that the community lives peacefully and is not affected by religious conflict.
The strikes come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Abuja. The Trump administration has previously accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians and has designated the country as one of “particular concern” over alleged religious freedom violations — claims Nigeria has consistently denied.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth praised Nigeria’s cooperation, while the Pentagon released footage appearing to show a missile launch linked to the operation.