United States President Donald Trump has announced that American forces carried out deadly airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) fighters operating in Northwestern Nigeria, warning that more attacks will follow if the group continues killing Christians.
Trump made the declaration on Thursday via his Truth Social platform, claiming the strikes were ordered by him and executed flawlessly by U.S. forces. He said the operation targeted ISIS militants who have allegedly been responsible for violent attacks on Christians in the region.
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in Northwest Nigeria,” Trump wrote. He added that the militants had been “viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians,” and warned that there would be severe consequences if the violence continued.
According to him, the Department of War carried out “numerous perfect strikes,” stressing that his administration would not allow radical Islamic terrorism to thrive. Trump ended his message with praise for the U.S. military and a Christmas greeting, while vowing further action if attacks persist.
In a related post on X (formerly Twitter), U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said he was grateful for the cooperation and support of the Nigerian government. He noted that the President had made it clear that the killing of Christians in Nigeria and elsewhere must stop, adding that U.S. forces were always prepared to respond.
The U.S. Africa Command also confirmed the operation, stating that the strikes were carried out on December 25, 2025, in Sokoto State, in coordination with Nigerian authorities. According to the command, multiple ISIS fighters were killed during the operation.
The airstrikes came just a day after a bomb attack on a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, which killed five people and injured several others in what authorities suspect was a suicide bombing.
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Nigeria has for years battled violence from armed groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, particularly in the North-East and parts of the North-West. Reports indicate that Trump had earlier warned of possible military action and even a cut in U.S. aid if Nigeria failed to curb attacks on Christians.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has authorised military operations in several regions, including Yemen, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Syria, and parts of the Caribbean and Pacific, as part of what he describes as a tough stance against terrorism.
