President Donald Trump said the US military carried out deadly airstrikes against ISIS terrorists in northwest Nigeria, targeting militants accused of killing Christians. US Africa Command confirmed the strikes were conducted with Nigerian authorities amid ongoing security threats in the region.
Trump’s Announcement and Strong Language
President Trump announced the military action on Thursday evening through a social media post. He said he had personally ordered the strike after previously warning the militants to stop killing Christians. Trump used forceful words, saying there would be “hell to pay” if the attacks continued.
In his message, Trump claimed the US military carried out “numerous perfect strikes” on ISIS camps in northwest Nigeria. He praised the American armed forces, saying only the United States was capable of conducting such precise and powerful attacks. He also said the strikes were meant to send a clear message that radical Islamic terrorism would not be allowed to thrive.
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Trump ended his post with a Christmas message, as he is currently spending the holiday at his estate in Palm Beach, Florida. While wishing Americans a Merry Christmas, he again stressed his stance against terrorist groups, repeating his warning that further attacks on Christians would be met with more force.
For months, Trump has spoken publicly about the situation of Christians in Nigeria. In November, he said he had instructed his defense secretary to prepare for possible action if violence against Christians did not stop. He also warned at that time that the United States could enter Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” if needed to protect Christian communities.
US Military Operation and Official Responses
After Trump’s announcement, AFRICOM released a statement confirming the operation. According to the US Africa Command, American forces conducted airstrikes in Sokoto state, a region in northwest Nigeria that borders Niger. The strikes were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities.
AFRICOM said its initial assessment showed that multiple ISIS terrorists were killed in the operation. The strikes reportedly hit ISIS camps in the area. While AFRICOM did not release exact casualty numbers, it described the operation as successful based on early information.
In another statement posted on X, which was later deleted, AFRICOM said the attack had been conducted at the request of Nigerian authorities. This suggested that the Nigerian government was directly involved in approving or supporting the strikes.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also commented on the operation. In a separate social media post, he said he was grateful for the support and cooperation of the Nigerian government. His message highlighted the close coordination between the two countries during the military action.
CNN reached out to both AFRICOM and the White House for additional details. While further comments were limited, the available statements confirmed that the strikes were part of joint counterterrorism efforts between the United States and Nigeria.
The US Department of Defense also released video footage showing one of the strikes. Images taken from the video were shared publicly and showed what appeared to be a precision attack on a targeted area. Trump later referred to this footage when describing the operation.
Nigeria Faces Ongoing Security Challenges
Nigeria’s government confirmed it cooperated with the United States during the airstrikes on terrorist targets. The Nigerian Foreign Ministry said the action showed joint efforts against terrorism. It also said Nigeria is committed to protecting all citizens, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
President Bola Tinubu earlier shared a Christmas message. He wished Christians in Nigeria and around the world a Merry Christmas. He also called for peace among people of different faiths. Tinubu said his government remains committed to religious freedom. He added that Christians, Muslims, and all Nigerians must be protected from violence.
Nigeria has faced serious security challenges for many years. Extremist groups have carried out deadly attacks in several regions. These include ISIS-linked factions and Boko Haram. Some violence is driven by religious extremism. Analysts say other conflicts come from ethnic tensions. They also point to communal disputes. Clashes between farmers and herders over land and resources are another major cause.
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In the fall, President Donald Trump accused Nigeria of violating religious freedom. He said Christianity faced an “existential threat” in the country. Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern.” This label is used when a government is seen as tolerating serious violations of religious freedom.
Experts say both Christians and Muslims in Nigeria have been victims of extremist violence. Nigeria has a population of more than 230 million people. Insecurity affects many regions across religious and ethnic lines. At the same time, the situation of Christians has drawn strong attention from US conservative leaders.