The United States has carried out a rare, targeted airstrike against Islamic State (ISIS/Daesh) militants in northwest Nigeria, acting at the request of the Nigerian government, according to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and statements from U.S. officials.
AFRICOM confirmed on X that the operation, conducted in Sokoto State, resulted in the deaths of multiple ISIS fighters entrenched in militant camps in the region. The strike marks a significant escalation in U.S. counterterrorism involvement in West Africa, where ISIS‑affiliated groups have expanded their footprint in recent years.
U.S. President Donald Trump also acknowledged the operation, stating that the militants targeted in the strike had been responsible for deadly attacks on civilians, including Christian communities in the region.
Nigerian authorities have not yet released additional details about the operation, but the request for U.S. support underscores growing security concerns in the country’s northwest, where extremist factions have increasingly exploited local instability.
The strike highlights Washington’s continued counterterrorism commitments on the African continent and signals deeper cooperation between U.S. and Nigerian security forces as ISIS‑aligned groups attempt to strengthen their presence in West Africa.
