NEW DELHI, DEC 26 : President Donald Trump said Thursday that he\u2019d launched a \u201cpowerful and deadly” U.S. strike against Islamic State forces in Nigeria, after spending weeks accusing the West African country’s government of failing to rein in the persecution of Christians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a Christmas night post on his social media site, Trump did not provide details or mention the extent of the damage caused. But the U.S. Africa Command said on X that strikes had been conducted \u201cat the request of Nigerian authorities in Soboto State\u201d and had killed “multiple ISIS terrorists.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Defense Department official, who insisted on animosity to discuss details not made public, said the U.S. worked with Nigeria to carry out the strikes, and that they’d been approved by that country’s government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the cooperation included exchange of intelligence and strategic coordination in ways \u201cconsistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty and shared commitments to regional and global security.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTerrorist violence in any form, whether directed at Christians, Muslims or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security,” the ministry said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nigeria\u2019s government has previously said in response to Trump\u2019s criticisms that people of many faiths, not just Christians, have suffered attacks at the hands of extremists groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trump ordered the Pentagon last month to begin planning for potential military action in Nigeria to try and curb Christian persecution. The State Department recently announced it would restrict visas for Nigerians and their family members involved in mass killings and violence against Christians there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the U.S. recently designated Nigeria a \u201ccountry of particular concern\u201d under the International Religious Freedom Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI 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,\u201d Trump wrote Thursday night. He said that U.S. defense officials had \u201cexecuted numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing” and added that \u201cour Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In its X post, the U.S. Africa Command wrote that \u201clethal strikes against ISIS demonstrate the strength of our military and our commitment to eliminating terrorist threats against Americans at home and abroad.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago club, Monday, December. 22, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blast at mosque in Nigeria kills 5, injures more than 30; police suspect suicide attack<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nigeria\u2019s population of 220 million is split almost equally between Christians and Muslims. The country has long faced insecurity from various fronts including the Boko Haram extremist group, which seeks to establish its radical interpretation of Islamic law and has also targeted Muslims it deems not Muslim enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But attacks in Nigeria often have varying motives. There are religiously motivated ones targeting both Christians and Muslims, clashes between farmers and herders over dwindling resources, communal rivalries, secessionist groups and ethnic clashes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The U.S. security footprint has diminished in Africa, where military partnerships have either been scaled down or canceled. U.S. forces likely would have to be drawn from other parts of the world for any military intervention in Nigeria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trump has nonetheless kept up the pressure as Nigeria faced a series of attacks on schools and churches in violence that experts and residents say targets both Christians and Muslims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted Thursday night on X: \u201cThe President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hegseth said that U.S. military forces are \u201calways ready, so ISIS found out tonight \u2014 on Christmas\u201d and added, \u201cMore to come\u2026Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation\u201d before signing off, \u201cMerry Christmas!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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