America vows more pounding for terrorists in Nigeria after first Christmas day strikes

The United States has vowed to intensify military pressure on terrorist groups operating in Nigeria, warning that further strikes are imminent following a Christmas Day operation that targeted Islamic State (ISIS) camps in Sokoto State.

Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of War, signalled the hardening stance in a post on X on Wednesday, saying President Donald Trump had made it clear that the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria and other parts of the world “must end.”

“The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end.

“The Department of War is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight on Christmas. More to come. Grateful for Nigerian government support and cooperation”, Hegseth wrote.

The comments came hours after the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed that American forces, acting on the directive of the U.S. President and the Secretary of War, carried out coordinated airstrikes against ISIS terrorist targets in northwestern Nigeria on December 25, 2025.

According to AFRICOM, the strikes were conducted in Sokoto State in close coordination with Nigerian authorities, underscoring deepening security cooperation between both countries amid rising concerns over terrorist activity spreading beyond Nigeria’s northeast.

The command’s initial battle damage assessment indicated that multiple ISIS fighters were killed at the targeted camps, which U.S. officials described as key staging grounds for extremist operations in the region.

“U.S. Africa Command is working with Nigerian and regional partners to increase counterterrorism cooperation efforts related to ongoing violence and threats against innocent lives.

“Our goal is to protect Americans and to disrupt violent extremist organizations wherever they are”, said Dagvin Anderson, Commander of U.S. Africa Command.

Anderson stressed that the Christmas Day strikes were not a one-off operation but part of an effort to degrade terrorist networks threatening civilians, regional stability, and international security.

Hegseth’s declaration that there would be “more to come” suggests that additional military action remains firmly on the table.

AFRICOM said it would continue to assess the full impact of the operation and release further information when appropriate, but noted that specific operational details would remain classified to protect ongoing missions and ensure the safety of forces involved.

For Nigerian authorities, the operation highlights sustained international backing for the country’s counterterrorism campaign, as Abuja seeks stronger intelligence sharing, logistics, and operational support to confront evolving militant threats.

Culled from Business Today

America vows more pounding for terrorists in Nigeria after first Christmas day strikes

The United States has vowed to intensify military pressure on terrorist groups operating in Nigeria, warning that further strikes are imminent following a Christmas Day operation that targeted Islamic State (ISIS) camps in Sokoto State.

Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of War, signalled the hardening stance in a post on X on Wednesday, saying President Donald Trump had made it clear that the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria and other parts of the world “must end.”

“The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end.

“The Department of War is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight on Christmas. More to come. Grateful for Nigerian government support and cooperation”, Hegseth wrote.

The comments came hours after the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed that American forces, acting on the directive of the U.S. President and the Secretary of War, carried out coordinated airstrikes against ISIS terrorist targets in northwestern Nigeria on December 25, 2025.

According to AFRICOM, the strikes were conducted in Sokoto State in close coordination with Nigerian authorities, underscoring deepening security cooperation between both countries amid rising concerns over terrorist activity spreading beyond Nigeria’s northeast.

The command’s initial battle damage assessment indicated that multiple ISIS fighters were killed at the targeted camps, which U.S. officials described as key staging grounds for extremist operations in the region.

“U.S. Africa Command is working with Nigerian and regional partners to increase counterterrorism cooperation efforts related to ongoing violence and threats against innocent lives.

“Our goal is to protect Americans and to disrupt violent extremist organizations wherever they are”, said Dagvin Anderson, Commander of U.S. Africa Command.

Anderson stressed that the Christmas Day strikes were not a one-off operation but part of an effort to degrade terrorist networks threatening civilians, regional stability, and international security.

Hegseth’s declaration that there would be “more to come” suggests that additional military action remains firmly on the table.

AFRICOM said it would continue to assess the full impact of the operation and release further information when appropriate, but noted that specific operational details would remain classified to protect ongoing missions and ensure the safety of forces involved.

For Nigerian authorities, the operation highlights sustained international backing for the country’s counterterrorism campaign, as Abuja seeks stronger intelligence sharing, logistics, and operational support to confront evolving militant threats.

Culled from BusinessDay