On Christmas Day 2025, in a move that instantly dominated global headlines, the United States carried out airstrikes against Islamic State affiliates in northwest Nigeria — actions reportedly coordinated with and supported by the Nigerian government. The operation, described by U.S. leaders as a direct response to escalating violence and attacks on civilians, underscores an unprecedented level of cooperation between Nigeria and a major global power in the battle against extremist threats.
This blog post explores the significance of Nigeria’s support, why the strikes were launched, how Abuja framed its role, and what this means for Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and regional stability.
A Christmas Strike — Strategic and Symbolic
According to official statements from the U.S. government, the airstrikes were conducted on December 25, 2025, targeting Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants who Washington claims had intensified attacks against Christian communities in Nigeria’s northwest. U.S. President Donald Trump described the operation as a “powerful and deadly strike” and reiterated the message that “the killing of innocent Christians… must end.” The Pentagon’s Africa Command confirmed that multiple ISIS militants were killed, and emphasised that the strike was carried out at the request of Nigerian authorities.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed the President’s statement, noting gratitude for the support and cooperation of the Nigerian government in executing the strike. He also indicated that this action was just the first of more to come if extremist attacks persisted.
This was not merely a tactical military move — it was also a symbolic demonstration of U.S.–Nigeria cooperation, signalling a new phase in international counter-terrorism efforts on African soil.
Nigeria’s Security Crisis: A Complex Battlefield
To understand why Nigeria supported this operation, it’s important to grasp the complex security context in which the country finds itself.
Nigeria has battled Islamist insurgencies for more than a decade, especially in the northeast, where Boko Haram and its splinter group ISWAP have waged deadly campaigns involving bombings, kidnappings, and targeted attacks. Civilians — both Christian and Muslim — have suffered the brunt of this violence.
Despite this, Nigeria’s government has consistently rejected claims that the crisis constitutes state-backed religious persecution, insisting that religious violence in the country affects all groups and is rooted in broader issues of poverty, governance, and economic inequity rather than targeted persecution of Christians.
In early November 2025, when the U.S. threatened military action or sanctions over alleged Christian killings, Nigeria welcomed assistance but insisted that it must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity — a diplomatic stance that anticipated cooperative action rather than confrontation.
Why Nigeria Supported the Strike
1. Shared Goal: Combating Extremism
Nigeria faces enormous pressure to neutralise groups like ISWAP, which destabilize vast regions and undermine national peace. The Buhari administration — and now President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government — has repeatedly stressed the need for international cooperation in combating these threats. Supporting the U.S. strike reinforces Nigeria’s determination to degrade extremist capabilities, particularly when local forces have long struggled to completely contain them.
2. Strategic Partnership with the U.S.
The strike illustrates a deeper security partnership between Nigeria and the United States — one that goes beyond training or intelligence sharing to actual operational collaboration. This aligns with earlier Nigerian positions welcoming U.S. help “as long as it recognizes our territorial integrity.”
Such cooperation is not unprecedented. Nigeria has received counter-terrorism assistance from Western allies for years, including training and logistical support. But granting approval for direct air operations involving foreign forces is a notable escalation.
3. Diplomatic Balancing Act
By supporting the strikes — publicly and diplomatically — Nigeria sends a clear message that it is willing to leverage international partnerships if they help achieve national security objectives. At the same time, Abuja’s insistence on sovereignty ensures that cooperation is framed as mutual and consensual, not imposed.
Domestic Reactions and Debate
Nigeria’s response to the strikes is layered. On one hand, officials emphasise the imperative of defeating terrorism and protecting Nigerian citizens. On the other hand, major voices within civil society and political leadership have pushed back against characterisations that equate the security crisis with religious persecution.
President Tinubu and his government have argued that the country’s security challenges impact all Nigerians regardless of faith, and that many victims of extremist violence are Muslim. This nuanced stance seeks to counter polarising narratives, stressing that violent extremism in Nigeria cannot be reduced to a single religious frame.
The African Union also weighed in earlier in November, urging respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and highlighting that foreign intervention needs to be grounded in diplomacy, intelligence sharing, and respect for national governance.
Public opinion is similarly divided. Some Nigerians — weary of years of insecurity — view foreign military support as a necessary step, while others fear it could entangle Nigeria in external agendas or worsen social divides.
International Implications
The Nigeria-U.S. cooperation on the Christmas strikes also sends signals to other global actors:
Regional Security: West Africa has struggled with the spread of violent extremist groups crossing borders into Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. Coordinated action with Nigeria strengthens regional resilience against these threats.
Global Counter-Terrorism Norms: Nigeria’s willingness to partner with the U.S. illustrates how sovereign nations can engage with global powers to combat shared threats while maintaining autonomy. It sets a precedent for collaborative, not coercive, international security efforts.
Diplomatic Messaging: By framing the strike as cooperative rather than unilateral, Nigeria positions itself as a responsible actor capable of engaging with global partners without ceding control of its security agenda.
Key Takeaways and Forward Outlook
1. Mutual Cooperation: The Christmas Day strike marked a significant moment in Nigeria–U.S. defence cooperation, rooted in shared goals to weaken ISWAP while respecting national sovereignty.
2. Sovereignty First: Nigeria’s support reflects a strategic choice to collaborate under terms that uphold its constitutional authority over national security.
3. Balanced Narrative: Abuja continues to emphasise that the security crisis in Nigeria is multifaceted and affects people of all faiths — a position that complicates simplistic religious persecution narratives.
4. Regional Security Relevance: The strikes have implications beyond Nigeria, signalling greater international willingness to tackle extremist networks that destabilise entire regions.
5. Diplomatic Sensitivities: The action demonstrates how cooperative military strikes, backed by formal government support, can align international efforts against terrorism without igniting sovereignty disputes.
Conclusion: A New Chapter in Nigeria’s Security Strategy
Nigeria’s support and cooperation in the U.S. strikes against ISWAP on Christmas Day represent a watershed moment in the nation’s security strategy and its role in global counter-terrorism partnerships. While debates about the nature of the violence and the appropriateness of foreign military involvement will continue, Abuja’s decision to back and collaborate on this high-profile operation signals a commitment to robust, strategic responses to extremist threats.
This coordinated action underscores that in a world where terrorism transcends borders, strategic partnerships between nations can play a pivotal role — especially when built on mutual respect, shared objectives, and respect for sovereignty.
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