U.S. Launches ‘Powerful and Deadly’ Strike on ISIS Targets in Northwest Nigeria, Trump Says
The United States on Thursday night carried out airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) militants in northwest Nigeria, in what President Donald Trump described as a “powerful and deadly strike” targeting extremists accused of killing Christians in the region.
The Military action, announced on Christmas night, marks a significant escalation of U.S. involvement in Africa’s security landscape and comes amid rising tensions over religiously-linked violence in Nigeria.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said the strikes were conducted under his direct orders as “Commander in Chief” and were aimed at “ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even centuries!”
The President added that he had warned the Militants to cease the attacks and vowed further action if the violence continued.
According to the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), the operation was carried out in Nigeria’s Sokoto State at the request of Nigerian authorities, and resulted in the deaths of multiple ISIS fighters.
AFRICOM said the precision strike was supported by intelligence sharing and strategic coordination between U.S. and Nigerian forces.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised the cooperation from the Nigerian Government and warned that “more strikes are to come,” framing the action as part of a broader effort to confront extremist violence.
Nigerian officials confirmed the strikes in a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, characterizing the operation as part of structured security cooperation against terrorism and violent extremism, conducted in line with International law and respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.
The announcement comes after weeks of Trump’s public criticism of the Nigerian Government’s handling of religious violence, in which he alleged that Christians were being disproportionately targeted.
In November, Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act and threatened possible military action if protections for Christian communities were not improved.
Nigeria’s Government, while affirming its cooperation with the U.S., has consistently emphasized the complexity of the Country’s security crisis, where Militants such as Boko Haram and Islamic State-affiliated factions have attacked both Muslim and Christian communities.
The Foreign Ministry stressed that all forms of terrorist violence undermine National unity and peace, and reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to protecting citizens of all faiths.
The New Indian Express
The U.S. strikes in Nigeria follow other recent American Military actions against ISIS-linked groups, including operations in Syria earlier this month.
As of press time, independent verification of the extent of the damage and casualties from the Nigeria strikes was still pending.
KPBS Public Media.
