US Airstrikes: Joint Operation Targets ISIS in Northwest Nigeria

By: Abudu Olalekan

In a significant move, U.S. forces conducted airstrikes in Nigeria’s Sokoto state alongside Nigerian authorities. President Trump called them “perfect” strikes. Details are emerging.

US Launches Airstrikes Against Terrorist Targets in Nigeria

Breaking news. Big development. The United States military has conducted airstrikes inside Nigeria. This happened in the northwest. Specifically in Sokoto state. And it was done with the Nigerian government’s collaboration. A direct hit on terrorists belonging to the Islamic State (IS) group.

The news came straight from the top. US President Donald Trump himself disclosed it. He called the airstrikes “perfect.” Said they followed his direct order to the US War Department. His language was, well, pretty stark. He described the targets as “terrorist scum.” Accused them of “targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians.” Strong words. No doubt about that.

According to Trump, the US military “executed numerous perfect strikes.” The US Africa Command, known as Africom, provided a bit more detail. They confirmed Thursday’s attack was carried out in co-ordination with Nigeria. That word—co-ordination—is key here. This wasn’t a unilateral thing. It was a joint effort.

Now, Nigeria’s response. The federal government confirmed it. Finally. A statement came on Friday from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Signed by their spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi. It talked about “structured security cooperation” with international partners. Including the United States. This cooperation, they said, led to “precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.”

The statement was formal. As you’d expect. It outlined the terms of engagement. “In line with established international practice and bilateral understandings…” It mentioned exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination. Support consistent with international law and “mutual respect for sovereignty.” All the official boxes ticked.

Then it got to the core message Nigeria always pushes in these situations. “Nigeria reiterates that all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives.” Safeguarding national unity. Upholding rights and dignity “irrespective of faith or ethnicity.” They made a point to state that terrorist violence against any community—Christian, Muslim, or other—is an affront to Nigeria’s values. And to international peace.

But here’s the thing. The big question everyone’s asking. The body count. How many terrorists were actually neutralized? As of the time the reports were filed, neither side is saying. The US military hasn’t disclosed a number. Nigerian authorities haven’t either. That silence is pretty loud. It leaves room for speculation. Were the strikes purely disruptive? Were they a decapitation attempt? The lack of figures suggests maybe the assessment is still ongoing. Or maybe the details are just too sensitive.

This action is significant. It marks a visible escalation in direct US military involvement in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism fight. While cooperation and intel-sharing have been ongoing for years, overt kinetic strikes by US assets on Nigerian soil are a rarer event. It signals a few things. Perhaps a heightened threat perception regarding ISIS’s branch in West Africa. Definitely a show of continued partnership with the Nigerian government.

The location is also telling. Sokoto state. In Nigeria’s northwest. This isn’t the northeast, the traditional epicenter of the Boko Haram and ISWAP conflict. It points to the worrying spread of terrorist activity. The metastasis of violence into new regions. The need for interventions outside the usual theatres.

Reaction is gonna be mixed. Some will applaud the decisive action against a brutal enemy. Others will worry about sovereignty, about precedent, about potential for civilian casualties in any airstrike no matter how “perfect.” The Nigerian government’s statement seems crafted to preempt some of those concerns. Emphasizing jointness, legality, and civilian protection.

For now, the skies over Sokoto have returned to quiet. The aftermath is being managed. The statements have been issued. But the story isn’t over. The real impact of these “perfect strikes” will be measured in the coming weeks. In whether the terrorist operations in that area are genuinely degraded. Or if this was a one-off flash, a statement of intent, in a much longer, grinding war.

Reportersroom will continue to follow this developing story. As more details emerge from what remains, for now, a tightly held military operation.