United States President Donald Trump has announced that American forces carried out airstrikes against terrorist camps in Northwest Nigeria on December 25, saying the operation targeted ISIS-linked militants responsible for attacks on civilians, especially Christians.
According to him, the strikes were authorised in response to what he described as escalating violence by terrorist groups operating in the region.
In a post shared to his Truth Social platform on December 25, President Trump wrote, “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!”
“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. Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper.”
“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.”
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 26 released a statement confirming that U.S. airstrikes had taken place as part of ongoing security cooperation between both countries.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria confirms that Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism. This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.”
It further explained that the cooperation was conducted within established international frameworks and bilateral agreements, emphasising respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and international law.
“Nigeria reiterates that all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity. 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.”
According to the statement, the Federal Government will continue to collaborate with international partners to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their financing and logistics, and prevent cross-border threats, while strengthening Nigeria’s domestic security and intelligence institutions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that it would continue to engage relevant partners and keep the public informed through official channels.
The targeting of Christian communities by various militant groups in Nigeria has been an escalating concern for several years and has increasingly drawn international attention, culminating in the December 25 U.S. airstrikes.
