President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces carried out precise and lethal airstrikes against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria on December 25, targeting groups he accused of systematically killing Christians.
In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump described the operation as a direct response to ongoing violence, stating that he had warned the militants of severe consequences if the killings continued. “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria,” he wrote, emphasizing that the attacks had reached levels unseen in years.
U.S. Africa Command confirmed the strikes took place in Sokoto state, conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities, and resulted in the deaths of multiple ISIS terrorists. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised the operation on X, noting the military’s readiness and expressing gratitude for Nigerian cooperation.
The action marks the first U.S. military strikes in Nigeria during Trump’s current term. It follows months of criticism from the president, who has highlighted what he describes as severe threats to Christian communities in the country. The U.S. recently redesignated Nigeria as a country of particular concern for religious freedom issues.
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Nigerian officials described the strikes as part of ongoing security collaboration with the United States, involving intelligence sharing to combat terrorism. The government maintains that violence in the region affects citizens of all faiths and stems from complex conflicts involving jihadist groups like Boko Haram and criminal bandits.
In Nigeria’s northeast, jihadist insurgency has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced millions over the past 15 years, while the northwest faces raids by armed gangs. The country is roughly divided between a Muslim-majority north and a Christian-majority south.
Trump concluded his message with a holiday reference, wishing blessings on U.S. forces and stating there would be further action if the violence persisted.
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