President Donald Trump announced Thursday that US forces had conducted military strikes against ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria, targeting groups he labeled “terrorist scum” for their attacks on Christian populations. The operation followed months of escalating rhetoric from the administration.
Trump had previously warned in October and November that the violence against Christians in Nigeria constituted an “existential threat” and potential “genocide,” threatening military action if the attacks persisted. The president’s warnings were not empty threats, as demonstrated by Thursday’s military operation conducted on Christmas Day.
In his announcement, Trump stated that the strikes targeted militants who had been systematically and viciously killing innocent Christians in the region. He credited the Department of War with executing precise strikes that showcased American military capabilities. The president reinforced his commitment to preventing radical Islamic terrorism from gaining ground under his leadership.
The Nigerian Foreign Ministry confirmed that the strikes occurred within the framework of existing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States. This collaboration includes intelligence sharing and strategic coordination aimed at combating terrorism and violent extremism. Nigerian officials emphasized that their government stands firmly against terrorist violence targeting any religious group, whether Christian, Muslim, or otherwise.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude to Nigeria for enabling the operation and suggested that additional strikes could follow. He referenced Trump’s clear warnings from the previous month about ending violence against Christians. The Pentagon provided video documentation of the strikes, showing military hardware in action from naval vessels. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed has maintained that while his country cooperates with the US on security matters, Nigeria’s constitution protects all faiths and that claims of systematic religious intolerance do not reflect the nation’s reality.