On Thursday, President Donald Trump revealed via social media that he ordered a military strike aimed at ISIS terrorists in Nigeria. He has criticized these groups for their violent campaigns against Christians in the country.
Trump described the operation as a “powerful and deadly” response to what he termed “ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria,” highlighting their brutal attacks on innocent Christians.
The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed that strikes were conducted in Sokoto state, located near the Niger border, in coordination with Nigerian officials. According to their initial findings, many ISIS terrorists were reported killed in the attacks on their camps, as noted in a news release.
Interestingly, AFRICOM had also mentioned the request from Nigerian authorities for this military action in a statement posted on X, but it was later deleted.
CNN reached out to both AFRICOM and the White House for comments on the situation. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude for the cooperation from the Nigerian government in a separate tweet.
The Nigerian Foreign Ministry, in a statement to CNN, reiterated its partnership with the US regarding strikes on termed “terrorist targets” and affirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of all citizens regardless of their faith or ethnic background.
Daniel Bwala, a special advisor to President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, assured CNN that the US and Nigeria share a unified stance in the battle against terrorism.
Trump’s post on Truth Social on Thursday evening indicated the seriousness of the US response. “I’ve warned these terrorists; if they don’t cease the Christian bloodshed, they’d face dire consequences. Tonight proved just that,” he stated, praising the military for executing precision strikes.
He emphasized that his administration would not tolerate the escalation of Radical Islamic Terrorism, conveying holiday greetings along with a message towards the terrorists, suggesting more actions would follow if atrocities against Christians continued.
Over recent months, Trump has spotlighted the struggles faced by Christians in Nigeria, earlier instructing his Defense Secretary in November to “prepare for potential action” to safeguard this vulnerable community.
On Christmas Eve, President Tinubu delivered a goodwill message to Christians, extending his Christmas wishes while advocating for peace among people of varying beliefs.
“I am dedicated to ensuring that religious freedom in Nigeria is upheld and that all Nigerians, both Christians and Muslims, are shielded from violence,” Tinubu shared in a social media post.
Nigeria continues to face long-standing security issues, particularly those sparked by religious motives. There are multiple violent conflicts influenced by communal and ethnic disparities, and tensions between farmers and herders vying for limited resources.
Previously, Trump has accused Nigeria of infringing on religious liberties, voicing his concerns that “Christianity faces an existential crisis” in the country. He even labeled Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act, signaling his administration’s assessment of ongoing religious freedom violations.
In Nigeria’s multicultural climate, both Christians and Muslims have unfortunately been victims of more radical Islamic attacks, as highlighted by experts.
The challenges confronted by Nigerian Christians have remained a key focus for American conservatives. High-profile allies to Trump, such as Senator Ted Cruz, have lately urged US intervention to assist, arguing that Nigeria’s government needs to do more to protect Christian communities.
Though Trump has portrayed himself as a pro-peace leader, he has persisted in authorizing military responses overseas. His administration has launched strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear ambitions and ramped up military presences in Venezuela amid tensions there.
This report has been updated to include the latest developments.
Contributions for this report were made by CNN’s Aleena Fayaz and Zain Asher.
