Nigeria reacts to US strike against Islamic State fighters

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu/X

Nigeria has confirmed that recent United States airstrikes targeting Islamic State (IS) militants in the country’s north-west were conducted within the framework of bilateral security cooperation.

This follows remarks by US President Donald Trump describing the operation as a “powerful and deadly strike”.

In a statement issued on Friday morning, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigerian authorities remain engaged in “structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America,” to counter terrorism and violent extremism.

The ministry confirmed that the collaboration had resulted in “precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.”

The confirmation comes after President Trump announced that US forces had carried out what he termed “numerous perfect strikes” against IS elements in north-western Nigeria.

He further accused the group of “targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians.” Trump labelled the militants “terrorist scum” and said the operation demonstrated Washington’s resolve to confront extremist groups abroad.

US Africa Command (Africom) later clarified that Thursday’s operation was conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities and took place in Sokoto State, an area that has in recent years witnessed increased activity by jihadist factions linked to both Islamic State and al-Qaeda-aligned groups.

In its response, Nigeria stressed that the cooperation with the United States aligns with international law and established bilateral understandings, noting that it includes intelligence sharing, strategic coordination and other forms of support.

The ministry emphasised that all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the need to protect civilian lives, respect national sovereignty and uphold the dignity and rights of all citizens.

“Nigeria reiterates that all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity,” the statement said.

The government also criticised any framing of terrorism along religious lines, stating that extremist violence directed at Christians, Muslims or any other communities “remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security.”

President Trump’s announcement follows a directive he issued in November ordering the US military to prepare for possible action in Nigeria as part of broader efforts to combat Islamist militant groups across West Africa.

The region has faced a resurgence of attacks by armed groups operating across porous borders, complicating counter-terrorism operations for national governments.

Nigeria said it will continue working closely with its partners to weaken terrorist networks, disrupt their financing and logistics, and prevent cross-border threats, while also strengthening its own security institutions and intelligence capabilities.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that it would keep the public informed through official channels as engagements with international partners continue.

While neither Abuja nor Washington disclosed casualty figures or specific targets from the latest strikes, the confirmation marks a rare public acknowledgement of direct US military action on Nigerian soil, underscoring the growing international dimension of the country’s fight against militant groups.