Pecohub Donald Trump, the United States president has announced that the US military has carried out airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) militants in northwest Nigeria, describing the operation as “powerful and deadly” and saying it was aimed at halting what he claimed were sustained attacks on civilians, particularly Christians.
In a statement posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said the strikes were ordered by him in his capacity as commander-in-chief and targeted ISIS elements operating in the region.
“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,” the president wrote.
He added that he had previously warned the group to halt what he described as the “slaughtering of Christians,” insisting that the operation was a direct response to those warnings.
According to Trump, the US Department of Defense carried out “numerous perfect strikes,” underscoring what he called America’s unrivalled military capability.
“Under my leadership, our country will not allow radical Islamic terrorism to prosper,” he said.
Confirming the operation, the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the airstrikes were conducted in Sokoto State and were carried out “in coordination with Nigerian authorities.”
A US official, speaking to the Reuters news agency, said the strikes killed multiple ISIS targets, though no specific casualty figures were provided.
Pete Hegseth, US secretary of defense also weighed in on the operation, saying the president had been unequivocal about ending violence against Christians in Nigeria and elsewhere.
Writing on X, Hegseth said: “The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end. The Department of War is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight on Christmas.”
He added that the US was grateful to the Nigerian government for its “support and cooperation” in the operation.
