United States President Donald Trump on Thursday confirmed that American forces carried out deadly airstrikes against Islamic State militants in Northwestern Nigeria and warned of further attacks if the group continues targeting Christians.
Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform, saying the Department of War executed “numerous perfect strikes” against the insurgents.
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorists in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians,” he wrote. “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 president added that under his leadership, the United States would not allow radical Islamic terrorism to prosper, and he extended Christmas greetings while noting that more operations would follow if attacks on Christians continue.
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In a separate post on X (formerly Twitter), US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude for Nigerian government support and coordination.
“The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end,” Hegseth wrote. “The Department of War is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation. Merry Christmas!”
US Africa Command also confirmed the operation, saying multiple ISIS fighters were killed in Sokoto State.
“At the direction of the President of the United States and the Secretary of War, and in coordination with Nigerian authorities, U.S. Africa Command conducted strikes against ISIS terrorists in Nigeria on Dec. 25, 2025, in Sokoto State,” the command said in an X post.
The airstrikes came a day after a bomb exploded at a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, killing five and injuring dozens in a suspected suicide attack.
Nigeria has long faced attacks from militant groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, according to The New York Post.
Last month, Trump warned he would cut off US aid to Nigeria and intervene militarily if the government did not act decisively against extremists targeting Christians. He had instructed the War Department to “prepare for possible action” against “terrorist thugs” in Nigeria in an earlier Truth Social post.
Since taking office in January, Trump has directed military operations in Yemen, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Syria, and regions of the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, reflecting a broad campaign against international militant threats.
