President Donald Trump announced Thursday that U.S. forces carried out airstrikes against Islamic State militants in northwestern Nigeria, accusing the group of targeting Christians in attacks he described as reaching levels unseen for years or even centuries.
The operation, conducted on Christmas Day at the request of Nigerian authorities, killed multiple ISIS terrorists in Sokoto State, according to a statement from U.S. Africa Command.
“Terrorist 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,” Nigeria’s foreign minister said in a statement, emphasizing that all counterterrorism efforts prioritize protecting civilian lives, national unity, and the rights and dignity of citizens regardless of faith or ethnicity.
The strikes followed Trump’s November designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over religious violence, which requires consultations with the government, a foreign policy action plan, and congressional briefings within 90 days, The Hill reported.
“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!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
He referenced his earlier warning to militants, adding: “I 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. The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.”
Trump concluded: “May God Bless our Military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.”
AFRICOM Commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson stated that the U.S. is collaborating with Nigerian and regional partners to enhance counterterrorism efforts amid ongoing violence and threats to innocent lives.
The Trump administration has initiated daily surveillance flights over Nigeria, coordinated with Nigerian National Security Advisor Nuhu Ribadu and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to reports.
“The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end,” Hegseth wrote on X. “The @DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. More to come… Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation. Merry Christmas!”
Nigerian Information Minister Mohammed Idris said last month that the government is addressing terrorism and welcomes U.S. assistance.
“The Government of Nigeria remains open and willing to work closely with the Government of the United States, other friendly nations and partners, to achieve our shared goal, the complete elimination of terrorism on Nigerian soil,” Idris said at a November press conference, Reuters reported.
He reported that as of November, over 13,500 militants had been killed, 17,000 suspects arrested, and more than 11,200 hostages, including women and children, rescued.
Republican lawmakers praised the action.
Rep. Riley Moore of West Virginia, whom Trump tasked with exploring additional U.S. measures, wrote on X: “President Trump has been clear that the killing of Christians in Nigeria must end. As I stated at the outset: Do not test President Trump‘s resolved in this matter. Tonight’s strike in coordination with the Nigerian government is just the first step to ending the slaughter of Christians and the security crisis affecting all Nigerians.”
House Freedom Caucus Chair Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland added in a statement on X: “This is strong and decisive leadership by our President standing up for the persecuted Christians and taking on ISIS. God bless our military. Merry Christmas.”
The strikes targeted groups like the Islamic State Sahel Province, known locally as Lakurawa, which operates in Sokoto and neighboring areas, often in forests bordering Niger. Analysts note that Lakurawa, initially formed to combat bandits, has since imposed harsh Sharia interpretations, leading to clashes with communities and allegations of killings, kidnappings, rape, and robbery.
Some attacks attributed to Lakurawa may involve the Islamic State West Africa Province or other factions, with motives rooted in competition over resources, exacerbated by ethnicity and religion, though Nigerian officials reject framing the violence solely as religious persecution.
Security challenges in Nigeria stem from governance issues, including poverty, hunger, and lack of state presence in remote areas, making recruitment easier for armed groups. Analysts say military efforts alone address only part of the problem, with good governance needed for the rest.
Recent incidents include a Christmas Eve suicide bombing at a mosque in Borno State, attributed to Boko Haram, killing at least five and wounding over 30.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has imposed visa restrictions on those involved in religious freedom violations, denying entry to individuals who directed, authorized, supported, or participated in such acts.
“I’m really angry about it,” Trump said of the situation in Nigeria during a Fox News Radio interview last month. “What’s happening in Nigeria is a disgrace.”
Separately, Turkish authorities arrested 115 suspected ISIS members on Thursday, accused of plotting attacks during Christmas and New Year festivities.
