US launches deadly airstrikes against ISIS terrorists in Sokoto, Nigeria
The United States President Donald Trump said on Thursday, that the US carried out airstrikes against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria. The strikes were reported to have taken place in Sokoto State.
Trump said in a post on Truth Social: “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!” Trump added that the US defence officials “executed numerous perfect strikes”.
The US military’s Africa Command (AFRICOM) said on X (formerly Twitter) that the strikes were conducted at the request of Nigerian authorities, killing multiple ISIS militants in Sokoto State.
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in a post on X thanked the Nigerian Government for its support and co-operation. “More to come…Grateful for Nigerian Government support & cooperation,” Hegseth added.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs corroborated the news on Friday morning, local time, that precision airstrikes hit “terrorist targets” northwest of the country, adding that it continues to collaborate with the US in “structured security cooperation.”
The US–Nigeria Joint Working Group was recently formed to implement security agreements and tackle the growing concerns over terrorism, banditry, and targeted attacks on Christians in Nigeria.
Trump had in October designated Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern’, accusing the Nigerian Government of not taking drastic steps in stemming the alleged genocide against Christian population in the country — an allegation the Nigerian Government denied.
This had prompted the US House Subcommittee on Africa to commence a public hearing on November 20 for further review of Trump’s designation and assessment of the situation, with possible sanctions against Nigerian officials found complicit.
Trump had threatened to place sanctions on Nigeria by stopping all aids and assistance to the country, as well as take military action, if the government does not move fast in tackling terrorism and protecting Christians.
Recent reports have earlier suggested an intelligence-gathering surveillance flights over large areas of Nigeria since late November.
