The United States has conducted a series of airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) fighters operating in north-western Nigeria, according to an announcement by President Donald Trump on Thursday.
The operation, he said, was aimed at militants accused of carrying out deadly attacks largely against Christian communities in the region.
In a message posted on Truth Social late on Christmas Day, Trump stated that the strikes were ordered directly by him in his role as commander in chief. He said U.S. forces had targeted ISIS elements responsible for what he described as the “vicious killing” of innocent civilians, particularly Christians.
Trump claimed he had previously warned extremist groups that continued violence against religious communities would trigger a strong response. “Tonight, there was,” he wrote, adding praise for U.S. military personnel and ending the post with a provocative Christmas message.
The airstrikes followed weeks of escalating rhetoric from the U.S. administration, which has accused ISIS-linked groups of intensifying attacks in northern Nigeria, especially in Sokoto State near the border with Niger. Senior U.S. officials have described the violence as reaching levels unseen in decades.
In early November, Trump directed the Pentagon to prepare for possible military action if Nigerian authorities failed to improve protection for vulnerable religious groups. The Defense Department later released a short, unclassified video appearing to show a missile launch connected to the operation.
A senior White House official said the president had been clear that the killing of civilians in Nigeria and elsewhere would not be tolerated, adding that further action could follow.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed it had been notified ahead of the strikes and said the operation was conducted within the framework of existing security cooperation between Nigeria and its international partners, including the United States.
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The ministry emphasized that the action was coordinated and not a unilateral intervention, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to working with allies to combat terrorism and violent extremism.
