The United States Department of War has formally expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for its support during a recent military operation. This development follows authorised airstrikes by President Donald Trump targeting Islamic State-linked militants in Nigeria's north-western region.
US War Department Acknowledges Nigerian Support
In a clear signal of deepening security ties, US War Department Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly thanked the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The message was conveyed via a post on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on December 26, 2025.
Hegseth stated that the operation highlighted a mutual commitment to stopping assaults on civilian populations. He referenced President Trump's earlier warning about the need to end the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria. The Secretary's post concluded with a stark warning to the militants, stating "More to come" and reaffirming appreciation for Nigerian cooperation.
Trump Authorises "Powerful and Deadly" Strikes in Sokoto
The military action was executed on Thursday, December 25, 2025, in Sokoto State. President Trump announced the operation in the early hours of the following day, December 26, on his Truth Social platform.
He described the strikes as "powerful and deadly" and confirmed they were carried out under his direct authority as Commander-in-Chief. Trump explicitly accused the targeted fighters of viciously killing innocent Christians and issued a clear ultimatum. He warned that further military action would be taken if attacks against civilians persist.
AFRICOM Confirms Operation at Nigeria's Request
The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) provided crucial context for the strikes. The command confirmed that the operation was conducted at the request of Nigerian authorities.
According to AFRICOM, the mission's objective was to degrade the operational capacity of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). This group is an affiliate of ISIS, primarily active in north-eastern Nigeria and the Lake Chad basin but has extended its activities into the north-west. The command framed the airstrikes as part of wider efforts to bolster Nigeria's own counter-terrorism initiatives.
Implications and Future Actions
The coordinated statements from both US political and defence leadership underscore a significant moment in US-Nigeria security relations. The public thanks from the War Department indicates a high level of operational coordination with President Tinubu's government.
However, the consistent message from Washington carries a dual tone: partnership with Abuja and a direct threat to militant groups. The warnings from both President Trump and Secretary Hegseth suggest that the Christmas Day strikes may not be an isolated event. The situation sets a precedent for potential future direct US military intervention in Nigeria, contingent on continued militant violence against civilians.
