US Congress Probes Trump’s 2025 Airstrikes In Nigeria

Members of the United States Congress have formally demanded detailed explanations from the Pentagon regarding American airstrikes conducted in Nigeria on December 25, 2025, and the broader US military presence in the country. The request is contained in a letter dated March 9, 2026, addressed to US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, which NaijaChoice News obtained on Saturday through its correspondent. The document was also copied to US Africa Command Chief Dagvin Anderson and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

President Donald Trump announced the strikes that day, describing them as actions against Islamic State-linked militants in Nigeria’s North-West region. The operation was carried out in Sokoto State. Nigeria’s Federal Government later stated that the action was fully authorised and did not violate the country’s sovereignty or territorial integrity.

In the letter, lawmakers led by Ranking Member Sara Jacobs of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa and Congressman Jason Crow pressed for clarity on the legal basis of the strikes, the extent of coordination with Nigerian authorities, intelligence sharing, and any reports of civilian casualties or operational errors.

The correspondence questioned the US administration’s public description of the strikes as “multiple flawless strikes” against “ISIS terrorist scum” targeting militants accused of killing innocent Christians. It noted that Nigerian and international experts have found no credible public evidence of a sustained ISIS presence in Sokoto State.

Lawmakers also cited reports that at least four of 16 missiles failed to detonate as intended or missed their targets by hundreds of miles, with some striking farmland and residential buildings near Tambuwal and Ofa in Kwara State. They further referenced accounts of unexploded munitions discovered in civilian areas with no known links to militant activity.

The letter highlighted reports of the US deploying approximately 200 troops to Nigeria to train local forces, in addition to a smaller existing American military presence assisting with intelligence gathering and targeting support for Nigerian operations.

The inquiry included 11 specific questions on the number of strikes carried out in Nigeria since December 25, intended targets, casualty assessments, coordination before, during and after the operations, and adherence to the 1973 War Powers Resolution. It also sought details on missile failures, civilian harm particularly around Jabo and Ofa, the total financial cost of the operation and any subsequent strikes, the impact on regional security, and plans for future US actions or troop deployments.

A response from the Department of Defence was requested by March 20, 2026. NaijaChoice News could not ascertain whether the Pentagon has replied, after a thorough search yielded no official confirmation.

This congressional scrutiny underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in foreign military operations within Nigeria’s borders.