US-Backed Airstrikes Hit Two ISIS-Linked Camps, Says Nigerian Government

Last Updated:December 27, 2025, 17:38 IST

US-backed air strikes approved by President Bola Tinubu hit ISIS-linked camps in Bauni forest, Sokoto State, targeting foreign fighters from the Sahel, government confirms.

Trump announced a 'deadly' strike at ISIS terrorists in Nigeria. (Reuters/X)

The Nigerian government has confirmed that US-backed air strikes on Thursday had hit two Islamic State-linked camps in the Bauni forest of Sokoto State, targeting foreign fighters infiltrating from the Sahel.

Reuters, quoting the information ministry, issued a statement on Friday stating that the strikes carried out on Thursday were approved by President Bola Tinubu and launched from maritime platforms domiciled in the Gulf of Guinea, after extensive intelligence gathering, operational planning, and reconnaissance.

“A total of 16 GPS-guided precision munitions were deployed using MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial platforms, successfully neutralising the targeted ISIS elements attempting to penetrate Nigeria from the Sahel corridor," the government said.

It further stated that intelligence reports have hinted the camps were being used by foreign ISIS elements working with local affiliates to plan large-scale attacks inside Nigeria.

No civilian casualties were reported, although debris fell in two towns in Sokoto and Kwara states, Reuters reported.

“The ongoing operations are geared towards securing the state and ensuring the protection of lives and property," it added.

On Thursday, Trump had shared a post on Truth Social saying “…at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!"

“I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was," he went on. “The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing. Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper."

According to Reuters, Nigeria has battled Islamist insurgents for more than a decade, but the presence of foreign fighters linked to ISIS signals an escalation in the threat. The government said it remains “fully committed to the protection of lives and property" and also vowed further action against transnational extremist networks.

Following the attack, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said he was “grateful for Nigerian government support and cooperation" for the mission. Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the cooperation included exchange of intelligence and strategic coordination in ways “consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty and shared commitments to regional and global security."

For the last several months, Trump has accused the Nigerian government of persecuting innocent Christians in the West African country, warning that the United States would enter Nigeria “guns-a-blazing" to protect the Christian population.

“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, “guns-a-blazing," to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities," he said last month, ordering the Defence Department to prepare for possible action.

News world US-Backed Airstrikes Hit Two ISIS-Linked Camps, Says Nigerian Government

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