The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially confirmed its involvement in the coordinated U.S. airstrikes that decimated ISIS-West Africa enclaves in Sokoto State on Christmas night.
In a statement released on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sought to balance President Donald Trump’s aggressive “Radical Islamic Terrorism” narrative with a message of national unity.
While Trump categorized the strikes as a direct response to the “slaughtering of Christians,” Abuja emphasized that the operation was part of a “structured security cooperation” aimed at protecting Nigerians of all faiths.
The “Sokoto Precision” Operation
The strikes, executed by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), targeted two specific militant camps near the border with Niger. These sites were identified following weeks of high-altitude surveillance flights conducted by U.S. Reaper drones.
Official Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
“Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners… This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in the Northwest. We reiterate that terrorist violence against any community Christian or Muslim is an affront to Nigeria’s values.”
Trump vs. Tinubu: Narrative Divide
The Christmas strikes have exposed a clear diplomatic rift in how the conflict is viewed in Washington versus Abuja.
| Feature | President Trump’s Stance | President Tinubu’s Stance | | Primary Target | "Radical Islamic Terrorists" | "Terrorist and Extremist Networks" | | Victim Focus | "Viciously killed innocent Christians" | "All citizens regardless of faith" | | Legal Basis | "Commander-in-Chief's Direction" | "Bilateral Intelligence Sharing" | | Future Outlook | "There will be hell to pay" | "Diplomatic and Security Channels" |
Why Sokoto? The Rise of ‘Lakurawa’
Security researchers point out that the choice of Sokoto State for these strikes was not accidental. The region has seen an incursion by Lakurawa, an ideologically driven extremist group that has been seizing territory in Sokoto and Kebbi states.
By providing “hammer” (airpower) to Nigeria’s “anvil” (ground intelligence), the U.S. effectively disrupted a group that was beginning to mirror the early territorial gains of Boko Haram.
“Hegseth Doctrine”: Vengeance as Policy
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth further fueled the viral nature of the story by describing the strikes not just as a military necessity, but as a “declaration of vengeance.”
“The President was clear: the killing of innocent Christians must end,” Hegseth posted on X. “ISIS found out tonight—on Christmas. More to come.”
Economic Impact of Insecurity
For the first time, Nigerian government linked these counter-terrorism successes to the economy. The Ministry noted that disrupting these networks is essential for “reliable logistics and e-commerce growth,” particularly as country tries to stabilize the Northwest for agricultural and trade activities in 2026.
