The Nigerian Air Force will lead further military air operations following United States airstrikes carried out on Christmas Day, as Washington shifts to an intelligence support role. A Nigerian official familiar with a new Nigeria–US security arrangement told AFP that the United States will now rely mainly on reconnaissance flights to support Nigerian operations, though Abuja remains open to additional US strikes.
On Christmas night, US forces struck sites in Sokoto State, northwest Nigeria, targeting what Washington described as locations linked to the Islamic State group. Nigeria has battled a jihadist insurgency since 2009, mainly in the northeast, while armed gangs known as bandits operate across rural areas of the northwest and north-central regions. Analysts noted increased US reconnaissance flights in the weeks before and after the strikes.
The strikes followed a diplomatic dispute after President Donald Trump alleged violence in Nigeria amounted to “persecution” and “genocide” of Christians, claims rejected by Abuja. Although relations later improved, the strikes caused unease after Trump claimed sole credit. Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar described it as a joint operation, while presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala said, “All three groups were targeted.”