The United States has carried out airstrikes against militant targets in Nigeria, following a series of deadly attacks attributed to an ISIS-linked group operating in the region.
US officials said the strikes were aimed at weakening the operational capacity of militants connected to the Islamic State, which has expanded its presence in parts of Nigeria in recent years. The action followed reports of coordinated assaults on civilian communities, including attacks during the Christmas period.
The violence has heightened concern over security conditions in Nigeria’s northeast and central regions, where armed groups have exploited local grievances, weak governance and long-standing communal tensions. Authorities have struggled to contain insurgent activity despite years of counterterrorism efforts.
Former US president Donald Trump confirmed the strikes, describing them as a response to what he said were targeted killings carried out by extremist groups. Nigerian officials have previously acknowledged the growing threat posed by militant factions aligned with ISIS, alongside other insurgent movements.
Analysts note that attacks in Nigeria often involve a complex mix of ideological militancy, criminal activity and local conflicts, complicating efforts to categorise violence along purely religious lines. Humanitarian groups have warned that continued instability has displaced millions and deepened food insecurity.
The airstrikes underscore Washington’s continued focus on counterterrorism operations in Africa, even as responsibility for security remains primarily with regional governments. Nigerian authorities said cooperation with international partners remains critical, while emphasising the need for long-term solutions addressing poverty, governance and social cohesion.
