US Africa Command has confirmed that recent airstrikes were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities in Sokoto State, targeting suspected Islamic State (ISIS) operatives. According to a U.S. official speaking to Reuters, the operation resulted in the deaths of multiple militant targets.
The strikes were publicly announced by former U.S. President Donald Trump through a statement on his social media platform, Truth Social. In his post, Trump said the military action was ordered under his authority and described it as a response to ongoing attacks carried out by ISIS-linked groups in the region.
He claimed the operation was aimed at dismantling networks responsible for violent attacks on civilians, particularly Christian communities, and warned that continued militant activity would be met with force. Trump also stated that the strikes were conducted with what he described as “precision” and credited the U.S. military for executing the operation.
The development adds to growing concerns over the expansion of extremist groups in northwestern Nigeria, where insecurity has intensified in recent years. Analysts note that the situation reflects broader regional challenges involving insurgency, cross-border militancy, and the role of foreign military involvement in counterterrorism efforts across West Africa.
According to the statement, the strike was aimed at dismantling ISIS-linked networks believed to be responsible for attacks on civilian communities and regional security forces. While specific operational details were not disclosed, the action was described as a “precision strike” intended to weaken the group’s operational capacity and prevent further violence.
Nigeria has long faced security challenges from multiple extremist groups, including Boko Haram and its splinter factions aligned with the Islamic State. These groups have carried out kidnappings, mass killings, and attacks on military installations, particularly in the country’s northeast and parts of the northwest. In recent years, the region has also drawn increased international attention due to concerns about the expansion of transnational jihadist networks across the Sahel.
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