President Donald Trump disclosed Thursday that American forces had conducted strikes against ISIS targets in northwest Nigeria, targeting militants the president described as “terrorist scum” attacking Christian populations. The operation demonstrated that Trump’s warnings about consequences for terrorism were not mere rhetoric.
The strikes came after Trump issued multiple warnings in October and November when he characterized violence against Nigerian Christians as an “existential threat” and potential “genocide.” The president had explicitly stated that failure to stop the attacks would result in severe consequences, specifically warning terrorists there would be “hell to pay.”
Trump’s announcement detailed that the Department of War executed “numerous perfect strikes” against militants engaged in the vicious killing of primarily innocent Christians. He emphasized American military superiority and his administration’s commitment to preventing radical Islamic terrorism from flourishing. The president praised the precision and effectiveness of the operation conducted on Christmas Day.
The Nigerian Foreign Ministry confirmed the military action as part of established security cooperation with the United States. This partnership involves intelligence sharing and strategic planning to combat terrorism and violent extremism. Nigerian officials made clear that their government opposes terrorist violence against all religious communities.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth thanked Nigeria for its cooperation and indicated that additional operations could follow. He referenced Trump’s previous clear warnings about protecting Christians. The Pentagon released video documentation showing weaponry being deployed from warships. While Nigerian President Bola Ahmed has cooperated with the security operation, he has also emphasized that Nigeria’s constitution protects citizens of all faiths and that characterizations of religious intolerance do not reflect the country’s actual commitment to protecting all religious groups.