US President Donald Trump on Thursday (local time) announced that American forces carried out a “powerful and deadly strike” against ISIS terrorists operating in northwest Nigeria, citing what he described as the brutal killing of Christians in the region.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said the military action was ordered under his direction as Commander-in-Chief and targeted ISIS militants allegedly responsible for large-scale violence against Christian communities. He claimed the strike was a direct response to what he called the “vicious slaughter” of innocent civilians.
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in Northwest Nigeria,” Trump wrote. He added that the militants had been “targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even centuries.”
The US military’s Africa Command later confirmed the operation, stating on X that the strike was conducted at the request of Nigerian authorities and resulted in the deaths of multiple ISIS militants. Officials did not immediately release further operational details.
Trump, who has repeatedly warned that Christianity faces what he terms an “existential threat” in Nigeria, said the United States would not tolerate the expansion of radical Islamic terrorism. While extending Christmas wishes, he made a controversial remark directed at the militants.
“May God bless our Military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead terrorists,” Trump said, adding that further strikes would follow if attacks against Christians continue.
Since late October, Trump has publicly criticized Nigeria’s handling of militant violence and threatened military intervention, arguing that the government has failed to adequately protect Christian populations. However, Nigerian authorities have rejected claims that the conflict is religiously one-sided.
Nigeria’s government has maintained that armed groups target both Muslims and Christians and that the security crisis is complex, involving terrorism, banditry, and communal violence. Officials have also stated that efforts are ongoing to protect religious freedom and civilian lives across the country.
Despite differences in public messaging, Nigeria has agreed to cooperate with the United States to strengthen its security capabilities against extremist groups, according to a Reuters report.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is religiously divided, with Muslims largely concentrated in the northern regions and Christians predominantly living in the south. Militant groups, including ISIS-affiliated factions, have been active in parts of the country for years, contributing to widespread instability.
