"Nigerian Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris confirmed conducting airstrikes against two major ISIS (Islamic State) positions in 'close coordination' with the US in Sokoto State in his address to the nation on Sunday from Abuja. "Intelligence confirmed that these locations were being used as assembly and staging grounds by foreign ISIS elements infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel region, in collaboration with local affiliates to plan and execute large-scale terrorist attacks within Nigerian territory," he said. "The precision strike operations were executed between 12 midnight and 1:30 am on Friday, December 26th, 2025, following explicit approval by the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,"  Idris continued, emphasising "full involvement of the Armed Forces of Nigeria" in the operation. Authorities said security and emergency teams remain on alert to prevent any further incidents and to ensure the safety of residents in the surrounding areas. According to Idris, no civilian casualties were reported in the area. "The Government of Nigeria assures all Nigerians that it remains firmly in control of the national security architecture and is fully committed to the protection of lives and property," he concluded. Ordered by the US President Donald Trump, the US airstrikes are part of ongoing operations against Islamic State factions in Nigeria, which have been linked to targeted killings and attacks on civilians, particularly Christian communities. The Nigerian Foreign Ministry confirmed the strikes early Friday, stating they were part of 'structured security cooperation' in countering the "persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism." The Nigerian government said the groups target Nigerians of all faiths, stressing that the strikes are part of wider efforts to stabilise the region after the president declared a national security emergency in November. The strikes were reportedly carried out by the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) 'at the request of Nigerian authorities'. An hour later, the Pentagon has, however, amended its post on social media platform X about strikes, replacing it with a statement about the attack being carried out 'in coordination with Nigerian authorities'. In November, Trump threatened to completely withdraw US aid and to directly intervene in the alleged 'mass slaughter' and persecution of the Christian population in Nigeria, which Abuja has denied. More than 7,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria in the first half of 2025, mostly in the northern 'Middle Belt', according to the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law and other international watchdogs. According to an Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) report, over 413 million Christians live in countries without religious freedom, and 280 million face direct persecution."