President Donald Trump said the United States carried out airstrikes against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day, targeting groups accused of killing civilians, including Christians.
Trump announced the strikes in a post on his Truth Social platform from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. He said the operation targeted ISIS fighters who he accused of carrying out deadly attacks on Christian communities.
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorists in northwest Nigeria,” Trump wrote. He said the militants had been “viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians.”
The operation was conducted by U.S. Africa Command, or AFRICOM, in coordination with Nigerian authorities. Nigerian officials confirmed the joint action and described it as a precision strike based on shared intelligence.
Targeted Camps in Sokoto State
According to U.S. and Nigerian officials, the airstrikes hit suspected ISIS camps in Sokoto State, near Nigeria’s border with Niger. Initial assessments indicate that several militants were killed. The strikes involved precision-guided weapons launched from U.S. military assets in the region.
AFRICOM has not yet released full details on casualties or damage and said assessments were ongoing.
Focus on Religious Violence
Trump has repeatedly raised concerns about violence against Christians in Nigeria, especially attacks linked to extremist groups operating in the country’s northwest and northeast. In recent weeks, he warned that the United States could take military action if attacks continued.
Nigeria has faced years of insecurity from multiple armed groups, including ISIS-affiliated factions such as the Islamic State West Africa Province. Nigerian authorities say the violence affects people of all religions and ethnic groups.
U.S. Defense Secretary Reacts
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised the operation in a post on X, saying Trump had been clear about stopping attacks on civilians.
“The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria and elsewhere must end,” Hegseth wrote. He said the U.S. military was prepared to act and thanked the Nigerian government for its cooperation.
Nigerian Response
Nigerian officials welcomed the U.S. support but stressed that terrorism in the country has claimed victims across religious lines. They said cooperation with international partners remains critical in fighting extremist groups.
The strikes come as many Nigerian Christians were marking Christmas amid heightened security, particularly in regions affected by insurgent attacks.
Supporters of the move described the airstrikes as a strong signal of U.S. commitment to religious freedom and counterterrorism efforts abroad. Further information is expected as military assessments continue.
