The Nigerian Government has confirmed an attack, on Thursday night, by the United States (US) on ISIS terrorists at their base in the north-western part of the country.
Though the number of casualty in the attack was not stated, US President Donald Trump had stated on his Truth Social platform, @realDonaldTrump, that the attack was carried out on the night of the Christmas Day.
President Trump, who boasted that it was only the US that can carry out such an attack, also revealed that the Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes.
“Tonight, at my (sic) direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in North-West Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even centuries!
“I have previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was.
“The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.
“Under my leadership, our country will not allow radical Islamic terrorism to prosper.
“May God bless our military, and Merry Christmas to all, including the dead terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues,” Trump wrote.
The US President however, did not provide further details on the strikes, such as how many people were killed, who or what was specifically targeted, and how many strikes were carried out, other than to say they were “numerous perfect strikes.”
Confirming the attack, the Nigerian Government stated that the attack was part of an ongoing security and intelligence cooperation between Nigeria and the US.
The Federal Government stated in a press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Friday, that the attack by the US “led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North-West.”
The press release, No: MFA/PR/2025/122, titled, “Nigeria-United States Security Collaboration And Intelligence Collaboration Hits At Terrorist Targets In Nigeria,” was signed by the spokesperson of the ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
The government stated that it remained engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the US, to address issues of terrorism and violent extremism in the country.
It further stated that the collaboration, which led to the air strikes by the US on terrorist targets, involved intelligence sharing, strategic coordination and other forms of support in line with international law, respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and shared security commitments.
The release read: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria confirms that Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism.
“This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North-West.
“In line with established international practice and bilateral understandings, this cooperation includes the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and shared commitments to regional and global security.”
The Nigerian Government restated that all counter-terrorism efforts were 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.
“Terrorist violence in any form, whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security.
“The Federal Government continues to work closely with its partners through established diplomatic and security channels to weaken terrorist networks, disrupt their financing and logistics, and prevent cross-border threats, while strengthening Nigeria’s own security institutions and intelligence capabilities.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to engage relevant partners and keep the public informed through appropriate official channels,” it was added in the release.
