By Peter Omopo
The United States military has carried out airstrikes against Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) targets in north-west Nigeria, with the operation confirmed to have taken place in Sokoto State.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced the strikes via a post on his Truth Social platform, stating that the operation was directed at terrorist elements operating in the region. He added that further strikes could follow.
The airstrikes occurred hours after a separate terrorist attack in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, where a bomb explosion at a mosque reportedly killed at least eight worshippers.
The development comes amid heightened international attention on Nigeria’s security situation, following claims circulated on U.S. political platforms alleging targeted attacks against Christians in parts of the country. Trump cited comments by U.S. lawmakers, including Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Riley Moore, in expressing outrage over what he described as violence driven by religious extremism.
In his statement, Trump claimed that Nigerian authorities had granted approval for the airstrikes. Nigerian officials are yet to issue a formal response confirming or denying the assertion.
Security sources indicated that the operation followed weeks of intensive intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities by the U.S. military over parts of Nigeria. The surveillance flights were reportedly conducted from neighbouring Ghana, allegedly with the awareness of Nigerian authorities.
The airstrikes mark a significant escalation in foreign military involvement in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts, particularly against ISWAP, which has carried out repeated attacks across the country’s northern regions.
