United States President Donald Trump on Thursday said he ordered what he described as a “powerful and deadly” airstrike against Islamic State (IS) terrorists in Nigeria, accusing the group of persecuting Christians in the country.
In a post on social media, Trump said the operation targeted “ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria,” alleging the militants had been killing innocent Christians.
The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed that American forces carried out the strikes in Sokoto State, which borders Niger, in coordination with Nigerian authorities. In a statement, AFRICOM said its initial assessment indicated that “multiple ISIS terrorists were killed in the ISIS camps.”
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AFRICOM also posted a separate statement on X, later deleted, saying the operation was conducted at the request of Nigerian authorities. CNN reported it had contacted AFRICOM and the White House for further comment.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a social media post, said he was “grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation.”
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed cooperation with the United States on airstrikes against “terrorist targets,” noting that the effort involved intelligence sharing and strategic coordination. The ministry said the collaboration was carried out in line with international law and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to protecting the rights of all citizens “irrespective of faith or ethnicity.”
Daniel Bwala, a special adviser to President Bola Tinubu, told CNN that “the US and Nigeria are on the same page in the fight against terrorism.”
Trump, who is spending the Christmas holiday at his Palm Beach estate, said he had previously warned the militants to halt attacks on Christians. “Tonight, there was,” he wrote, adding that the US military carried out “numerous perfect strikes.”
The president has repeatedly highlighted the plight of Christians in Nigeria in recent months, at one point directing his administration to prepare for possible action and warning of US intervention if attacks continued.
On Christmas Eve, President Tinubu issued a goodwill message wishing Christians a merry Christmas and reaffirming his commitment to religious freedom and the protection of all Nigerians, regardless of faith.
Nigeria has faced long-standing security challenges driven by insurgency, banditry, and communal violence. Analysts note that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of attacks, with conflicts also linked to ethnic tensions and disputes over land and resources.
