Confusion surrounds the aftermath of US airstrikes in Nigeria on Christmas Day, with a senior adviser to the country's president describing details of who was hit as "sketchy". This directly challenges public claims made by former US President Donald Trump.
Conflicting Narratives Emerge
The United States, acting in cooperation with the Nigerian government, conducted a series of aerial attacks in northwestern Nigeria on 25 December 2025. In a post on his Truth Social platform announcing the operation, Donald Trump stated that "powerful and deadly strikes" had targeted "ISIS terrorist scum".
However, Bola Tinubu, a special adviser to the Nigerian president based in Abuja, provided a markedly different account to Sky News. He expressed uncertainty over the exact targets of the Washington-led strikes, hoping for clearer information to emerge in the coming days.
"The details are sketchy," Mr Tinubu confirmed, adding that the strikes could have been aimed at groups including Lakurawa, Boko Haram, or the so-called Islamic State and its affiliates. He also emphasised his hope for continued cooperation between Nigeria and the US.
Context of Christian Persecution Claims
The military action followed months of persistent assertions from Mr Trump and his White House that Christians were facing severe persecution and attacks within Nigeria. While it is accurate that Christian communities have suffered violence in a nation challenged by multiple armed groups, data indicates reports of violence against Muslim communities have occurred at a similar rate.
In fact, over the past year, more attacks have been reported on mosques than on churches, a shift from the pattern seen before 2025. Sources, including the Nigerian president's adviser, suggested to Sky News that Mr Trump's focus on Christian persecution was likely aimed at galvanising his domestic support base.
Local Communities Left Rattled and Afraid
On the ground, the strikes have caused significant fear and disruption. Confirmed attacks took place in Jabo, within the Sokoto region, and in Offa, located in the Kwara region.
In Jabo, 17-year-old Balira Sa'idu said the events had upended his life. "I am supposed to be thinking about my wedding, but right now I am panicking," he told Sky News. "The strike has changed everything. My family is afraid, and I don't even know if it is safe to continue with the wedding plan in Jabo."
Sanusi Madabo, a 40-year-old farmer from the same village, described hearing a deafening noise resembling a plane crash while preparing for bed. Rushing outside with his wife, they saw the sky glowing a fierce red. "The light from the fire burned bright for hours," Madabo recounted. "It was almost like daytime." He only later learned he had witnessed the US attack on what was alleged to be an Islamic State camp.
Following the strikes, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth hinted at further action in a social media post that simply stated: "More to come..." The situation leaves a cloud of uncertainty over the precise outcome of the Christmas Day operations and the future trajectory of US-Nigerian counter-terrorism efforts.
