The United States has carried out airstrikes against ISIS targets in northwest Nigeria, with President Donald Trump announcing the operation on Truth Social, claiming the group has been targeting Christians. “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria,” Trump said.

The Nigerian Foreign Ministry confirmed the “precision” air strikes, stating they were part of “structured security cooperation” with Washington. US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the strike was conducted at Nigeria’s request, killing multiple ISIS terrorists in Sokoto State.

However, Nigerian authorities and researchers have dismissed Trump’s claims that Islamist militants specifically target Christians, saying attacks are indiscriminate and affect both Muslims and Christians. The US has been conducting intelligence-gathering flights over Nigeria since late November, following Trump’s warnings of possible military action against groups targeting Christians.

Residents of Tangaza and Tambuwal local government areas of Sokoto State have confirmed separate drone attacks on their communities, carried out by the United States military. Eyewitnesses described widespread panic among residents, with one resident saying, “Everyone was terrified. People rushed out of their houses with their families and started running in different directions”.