In a Christmas Day announcement that blended holiday greetings with a stern national security message, President Donald Trump confirmed that the U.S. military launched a "powerful and deadly" strike against ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria.
Writing on Truth Social, the President stated that the operation was carried out at his direction to protect innocent civilians—specifically highlighting the plight of Christian communities in the West African nation.
“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,” Trump wrote. He concluded the message with a provocative sign-off: “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.”
Military Coordination
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the strikes took place in Sokoto State, noting that the operation was conducted at the request of and in coordination with Nigerian authorities. Initial assessments indicate that multiple ISIS militants were killed in the strikes.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth echoed the President’s sentiment on social media, emphasizing that the U.S. is "always ready" to respond to extremist threats. Hegseth also expressed gratitude for the cooperation of the Nigerian government, which has been working with Washington to bolster counterterrorism efforts in the north.
Rising Tensions and Policy Shifts
The strike marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration's involvement in Nigerian security. Throughout late 2025, the President has repeatedly warned of "existential threats" to religious freedom in the country, at one point suggesting a "guns-a-blazing" intervention if the violence did not cease.
While the Nigerian government has historically emphasized that both Muslims and Christians are victims of extremist violence, the administration recently designated Nigeria as a "country of particular concern" regarding religious freedom.
As of Friday morning, the White House confirmed that the President remains at Mar-a-Lago for the remainder of the holiday, though officials suggested that further "precision hits" remain an option if militant activity persists.
