The United States has carried out air strikes against Islamic State (IS)-affiliated militants operating in north-west Nigeria, President Donald Trump has said.

In a statement on Thursday Mr Trump said the strikes were ordered in response to what he described as escalating attacks on civilians, particularly Christian communities, by extremist groups in the region.

He said the operation was authorised by him as commander-in-chief and targeted militants accused of carrying out mass killings.

“The United States will not allow radical Islamic terrorism to prosper,” Mr Trump said, adding that he had previously warned the militants to stop attacking civilians.

The US Department of Defense has not released details on the scale of the strikes, the specific locations targeted or casualty figures.

However, US officials, speaking anonymously, said the operation involved precision-guided munitions aimed at leadership compounds and logistical centres linked to IS factions active in West Africa.

Militant violence has intensified in parts of Nigeria in recent years, with groups including Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and factions linked to Boko Haram carrying out attacks on villages, religious communities and security forces.

Direct US military action in Nigeria has been rare, with Washington’s counter-terrorism role in the country largely focused on intelligence sharing and limited operational support.

Human rights organisations have repeatedly warned that the conflict has resulted in widespread civilian suffering and have urged all sides to take greater steps to protect non-combatants.

The White House described the strikes as part of a broader global campaign against terrorism. Mr Trump ended his statement by praising the US military and issuing a Christmas message.

Nigeria’s government has confirmed ongoing security and intelligence cooperation with the United States following air strikes on what it described as terrorist targets in the country’s north-west.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the collaboration involved intelligence sharing and strategic coordination with international partners, including the US.

“This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West,” the statement said.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the cooperation was conducted in line with international law, with respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and shared security commitments.

“Nigeria reiterates that all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity,” the statement added.

It said terrorist violence, “whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security.”

The statement followed comments by US President Donald Trump, who said American forces had carried out strikes against Islamic State militants in north-western Nigeria.

Nigerian authorities have not disclosed further operational details or confirmed casualty figures.

A prominent Nigerian Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has condemned the reported US air strike on militants in Sokoto State and called on the Nigerian government to end military cooperation with Washington.

Sheikh Gumi warned that the presence of foreign forces in Nigeria, even under the pretext of protecting religious communities, could deepen divisions and threaten the country’s sovereignty.

He said such actions risk turning Nigeria into a “theatre of war”.

“If Nigeria truly needs military assistance, countries such as China, Turkey or Pakistan could offer support without creating additional tension,” he said.

His comments come after what officials described as a surprise US air strike that reportedly killed several militants accused of attacking Christian communities in the region.

The Nigerian government has not responded directly to Sheikh Gumi’s remarks but has previously defended its security partnerships as necessary to address the growing threat of violent extremism.

Nigeria continues to face attacks from multiple armed groups across different regions, with security forces struggling to contain violence amid concerns about civilian safety and national stability.