What to know about the militants targeted by US airstrikes in northwest Nigeria

"The militants targeted by US airstrikes The armed groups in Africa's most populous country include at least two affiliated with the Islamic State - an offshoot of the Boko Haram extremist group known as the Islamic State West Africa Province in the northeast, and the lesser-known Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP) known locally as Lakurawa and prominent in the northwest."

"Although officials did not say exactly which group was targeted, security analysts said the target, if indeed against Islamic State militants, was likely members of Lakurawa, which became more lethal in border states like Sokoto and Kebbi in the last year, often targeting remote communities and security forces. The Nigerian military has said in the past that the group has roots in neighboring Niger and that it became more active in Nigeria's border communities following a 2023 military coup."

U.S. airstrikes struck Islamic State militants in northwestern Nigeria, representing a significant escalation against armed groups that have strained Nigeria's military. President Donald Trump characterized the Sokoto strikes as "powerful and deadly," saying they targeted militants killing primarily innocent Christians. Nigeria said the strikes resulted from intelligence sharing and strategic coordination with the United States. The Associated Press could not confirm the strikes' impact, and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted "More to come..." on X. Armed groups include Islamic State West Africa Province in the northeast and Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP), known locally as Lakurawa, active in the northwest.

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