Overview
- President Donald Trump announced the strikes on Truth Social, calling them a powerful and deadly blow and warning of potential further action.
- A U.S. government representative said the operation, reportedly in Sokoto state, killed several IS fighters and was conducted at the request of Nigerian authorities.
- U.S. officials emphasized precision in the strikes, and Defense official Pete Hegseth publicly thanked Nigeria for its cooperation.
- The mission followed weeks of preparation after Trump directed the Pentagon in November to ready options, as Reuters reported expanded U.S. intelligence flights over Nigeria.
- Nigeria has offered limited public confirmation so far, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu previously rejected claims that the country tolerates religious persecution.