US Conducts Airstrikes on IS-Linked Lakurawa Camps in Nigeria's Sokoto State
On 25 December 2025, the United States carried out airstrikes targeting IS-linked Lakurawa camps in Sokoto state, located in north-west Nigeria near the border with Niger. Initial US assessments reported multiple fatalities among the fighters, though no confirmed casualty figures were released.
President Donald Trump stated he ordered the strikes as a Christmas present. Nigerian officials described the operation as a joint effort, conducted using Nigerian intelligence, with approval from Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and involving the Nigerian armed forces. Local official Isa Salihu Bashir from the Tangaza area reported that Lakurawa camps were hit, with many fighters killed and border patrols on the Niger side observing fighters fleeing the area. However, the BBC could not independently verify these casualty numbers.
Debris from munitions fell in Jabo in Sokoto and Offa in Kwara, but authorities confirmed there were no civilian casualties in these locations. Lakurawa is an IS-linked group seeking to establish a base in north-western Sokoto and is connected to jihadist networks in Mali and Niger. The group has reportedly recruited locally and imposed controls in the region.
This strike marks the second major US operation against IS-related targets in recent weeks. Previously, the US conducted a significant strike in Syria, during which Centcom reported hitting over 70 targets; Jordan contributed aircraft to that operation. That strike was carried out in retaliation for the killing of three Americans.
The article also notes previous US criticisms of Nigeria regarding religious freedom issues, including designating Nigeria as a country of particular concern and alleging acts of genocide against Christians.
