Trump Claims US Airstrikes Hit ISIS Targets in Nigeria
In a surprising announcement on Thursday, former President Donald Trump stated that the United States conducted airstrikes targeting Islamic State-affiliated militants in Nigeria, marking what would be a notable expansion of U.S. counterterrorism operations in West Africa. The claim, reported in the Military Times article titled “Trump says US struck Islamic State targets in Nigeria,” has raised questions among security analysts and current and former U.S. officials, particularly given the lack of confirmation from the Pentagon.
Speaking at a campaign event, Trump said that U.S. forces “took out a number of ISIS terrorists in Nigeria,” portraying the reported operation as evidence of what he described as a more aggressive and successful counterterrorism strategy compared to the current administration. The former president did not offer specifics on the timing, location, or scope of the airstrikes, nor did he clarify whether the alleged mission took place during his administration or afterward.
Military officials contacted by the Military Times said they were unaware of any recent U.S. military operations in Nigeria involving the Islamic State. The Department of Defense has not issued any statements confirming Trump’s claim, and Nigeria’s government has yet to publicly acknowledge the reported strikes.
While the U.S. has conducted limited counterterrorism support operations in the Sahel region and surrounding countries, direct military strikes on Nigerian territory would represent a significant escalation in military engagement on the African continent. Analysts warn that such actions carry diplomatic risks, particularly in light of growing African sensitivities to foreign military presence and the shifting geopolitical landscape in the region, where countries like Russia and China are increasing their influence.
Nigeria has been battling insurgencies in its northeast for over a decade, primarily from Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a splinter group that pledged allegiance to the broader Islamic State network. U.S. involvement up to now has largely been limited to intelligence sharing, training, and humanitarian assistance. An increase in direct U.S. military operations, if confirmed, would mark a departure from that approach and could have broad security and political implications.
The veracity of Trump’s statement remains uncertain, and it is unclear whether it reflects a confidential or unreported military operation, a mischaracterization of related activity, or an erroneous claim. As of now, neither AFRICOM nor the White House has issued an official comment on the matter.
Trump’s comments come during a period of renewed scrutiny of U.S. military activity abroad and at a time when African governments are reassessing long-term security partnerships with Western nations. The relationship between Washington and Abuja has historically been tempered by human rights concerns and regional instability, even as the U.S. remains Nigeria’s key trade and security partner.
In the absence of corroborating evidence from official sources, the former president’s claim is likely to prompt calls for clarification from lawmakers and defense officials alike. Whether this statement indicates a previously undisclosed operation or political rhetoric remains to be seen.
