President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States carried out a deadly military strike against ‘Islamic State terrorists’ in Nigeria. He stated that the action was taken in response to the group’s attacks on and killings of Christians in the country.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said the strike targeted ISIS militants operating in northwest Nigeria. He accused them of brutally killing innocent Christians on a large scale, saying the violence had reached levels not seen in many years, or even centuries.
Trump says US carried out deadly strike on ISIS in Nigeria
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against 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!”
He added that he had warned the militants earlier that there would be serious consequences if the killings continued. According to him, that warning was now acted upon. “I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was.” He praised the US military, saying the operation involved several precise strikes that only the United States could carry out. Trump also said his administration would not allow radical Islamic terrorism to grow or succeed.“The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.”
The president ended his message by praising the US military and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. “Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper. May God bless our Military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.”
US and Nigeria yet to give official details
Both the White House and the Nigerian government have not provided further details about the strike. However, in a separate social media post, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he was thankful for the support and cooperation of the Nigerian government, suggesting that Nigeria was aware of or involved in the operation. “The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end. The DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. More to come… Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation. Merry Christmas,” he wrote.
Trump has been vocal about the situation faced by Christians in Nigeria for months now. In November, he publicly asked his defense secretary to prepare for possible military action. At the time, he also warned that the US could step in forcefully if the violence against Christians did not stop.
Trump has described Nigeria as a place where Christianity is under serious threat. Earlier he accused the country of failing to protect religious freedom and officially labeled Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” under US law.
Meanwhile, on Christmas Eve, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu shared a Christmas message addressed to Christians in Nigeria and around the world. He wished them a Merry Christmas and prayed for peace. “I stand committed to doing everything within my power to enshrine religious freedom in Nigeria and to protect Christians, Muslims, and all Nigerians from violence,” Tinubu wrote in a post on X.
The country has a population of more than 230 million people, and religion plays a major role in many parts of society.