Overview
- The December 25 strikes targeted Islamic State–affiliated militants in rural areas of Sokoto and Kwara states, according to Nigerian authorities.
- Nigeria’s foreign minister and information minister said the operation was conducted at Abuja’s request after intelligence sharing, with direct contacts to U.S. officials.
- AFRICOM reported that several militants were killed, while the full scope, precise targets and casualty totals remain unverified by independent sources.
- Nigerian officials said 16 GPS-guided munitions were fired by MQ-9 Reaper drones, as a brief Pentagon video also showed a shipboard missile launch, highlighting unresolved platform details.
- Debris was reported at Jabo in Sokoto and Offa in Kwara, Nigeria said no civilians were harmed, and President Trump warned of potential further action framed as a response to killings of Christians.