By: Manoah Kikekon
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| US President Donald Trump |
In a Christmas Day announcement, former President Donald Trump declared that U.S. forces executed "numerous perfect strikes" against Islamic State terrorists in Northwestern Nigeria, vowing more attacks if the militants continue targeting Christians.
"Powerful and Deadly Strike" Against ISIS
Trump announced the operation on his Truth Social platform, stating he directed the action as Commander in Chief. "Tonight, at my direction... the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria," he wrote. He accused the militants of "viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years."
The former president framed the strikes as a direct response to his previous warnings. "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," Trump stated. He concluded his post with a pointed holiday message: "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."
Confirmation from U.S. Africa Command and Defense Secretary
U.S. Africa Command confirmed the operation in a post on X, specifying the location. "At the direction of the President of the United States and the Secretary of War... U.S. Africa Command conducted strikes against ISIS terrorists in Nigeria on Dec. 25, 2025, in Sokoto State," the command posted, adding the strike killed "multiple ISIS terrorists."
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, also on X, expressed gratitude for "Nigerian government support and cooperation." He linked the action to Trump's earlier ultimatum, writing, "The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end. The @DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight on Christmas."
Background: Escalating Tensions and a Previous Warning
The Christmas Day airstrikes follow a period of heightened tension. The attack occurred just one day after a bomb killed five at a mosque in Maiduguri, in a suspected suicide attack. Nigeria has long struggled with violence from groups including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Last month, Trump issued a stark warning, threatening to cut off U.S. aid and go into Nigeria "guns-a-blazing" if the government did not do more to protect Christians from extremist violence. In a November 1 Truth Social post, he said he had instructed the War Department to "prepare for possible action."
This military action continues a pattern of strikes undertaken since Trump returned to office in January 2025, following operations in Yemen, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Syria, and elsewhere. The move also comes after the Trump administration recently recalled dozens of ambassadors appointed by former President Joe Biden, including the envoy to Nigeria.