The United States has carried out precision air strikes against ISIS-linked terrorist enclaves in Northwest Nigeria, marking a rare direct military action by Washington on Nigerian soil.

US President Donald Trump announced the operation on Thursday via his Truth Social account, saying the strikes were conducted on Christmas Day against terrorist groups accused of carrying out violent attacks on civilian communities.

According to Trump, the air strikes targeted ISIS elements operating in the North West, whom he described as responsible for widespread killings, particularly in rural areas.

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist targets in Northwest Nigeria,” Trump said.

He warned that the operation would not be a one-off, stressing that more eliminations would follow if attacks persisted.

“The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes. Under my leadership, the United States will not allow radical Islamic terrorism to prosper,” the president added.

Shortly after Trump’s announcement, the Federal Government confirmed the development, describing it as part of ongoing security cooperation between Nigeria and its international partners.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and shared by the Presidency, the government said the strikes followed intelligence-sharing and strategic coordination with the United States.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms that Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, to address the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism,” the statement said.

It added that the cooperation had resulted in “precision hits on terrorist targets in the North West, in line with established international practice and bilateral understandings.”

The Federal Government emphasised that the collaboration respected Nigeria’s sovereignty and was guided by international law.

“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 noted.

The government also reiterated its position that terrorist violence affects all communities.

“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,” it said.

The air strikes come amid months of diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the United States over the deteriorating security situation.

Reports indicate that the US has conducted intelligence-gathering flights over Nigeria since late November, following a directive by Trump to prepare for possible action against terrorist groups.

Last month, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu met with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to discuss enhanced security cooperation.

President Bola Tinubu had earlier declared a security emergency, approving mass recruitment into the armed forces and police to curb rising attacks and abductions across several states.

The Federal Government said it would continue to work with its partners to dismantle terrorist networks while strengthening Nigeria’s own security and intelligence capabilities.