On December 25, 2025, President Donald Trump announced that the United States had conducted airstrikes targeting Islamic State (ISIS) fighters in northwest Nigeria. This operation was described as a response to what Trump characterized as unprecedented violence against Christians in the region. In a statement shared on his Truth Social platform, he emphasized the U.S. military's capability to carry out such operations, referring to the strikes as 'powerful and deadly.'

The airstrikes were reportedly executed at the request of Nigerian authorities, with U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirming the elimination of multiple ISIS fighters. Trump warned that the U.S. would not tolerate attacks on Christians and indicated that severe consequences would follow for the terrorist groups involved. He had previously suggested that if the Nigerian government failed to protect its citizens, the U.S. might reconsider its aid and potentially deploy military forces to the region.

Both Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have been implicated in numerous violent acts, including mass kidnappings and assaults on churches, raising concerns about the Nigerian government's effectiveness in safeguarding vulnerable communities. The situation has drawn criticism regarding the humanitarian implications of military interventions and the complexities of international relations in addressing terrorism and religious persecution. Public figures, including rapper Nicki Minaj, have expressed support for the U.S. actions, framing them as necessary for the protection of religious freedoms, while broader discussions continue about the impact of such military actions on local populations and regional stability.