The United States on Thursday launched strikes against ISIS in Nigeria, President Trump announced, citing the targeting of 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, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said in a statement that the strikes killed multiple “ISIS terrorists.”
“AFRICOM conducted a strike at the request of Nigerian authorities in Soboto State killing multiple ISIS terrorists. Lethal strikes against ISIS demonstrate the strength of our military and our commitment to eliminating terrorist threats against Americans at home and abroad,” it said.
AFRICOM Commander, Gen. Dagvin Anderson, said in a statement that the U.S. military is working with Nigerian and regional partners to increase “counterterrorism cooperation efforts related to on-going violence and threats against innocent lives.”
Trump on Thursday pointed to his November statement, in which he threatened military action in Nigeria if the country did not take steps to stop violence directed at Christians.
“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,” he wrote on Thursday. “The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.”
“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,” he continued.
Nigeria said on Thursday that the country remains “engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorist and violent extremism,” which led to the strikes.
It said “all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the “primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity.”
“Terrorist violence in any form whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security,” Nigeria’s foreign minister said in a statement.
Trump in November labeled the African nation a “country of particular concern” (CPC) because of religious violence.
The designation outlines a plan for the president to consult with the designated government, draft a foreign policy action plan, and consult with Congress about implementation — within 90 days.
The Trump administration also began to conduct daily surveillance flights over Nigeria under the direction of Nigerian National Security Advisor Nuhu Ribadu and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Reuters reported.
“The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end,” Hegseth wrote in a Thursday post on X.
“The @DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. More to come… Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation. Merry Christmas!”
Last month, Nigerian Information Minister Mohammed Idris said leaders are working to address terrorism and welcomed help from the U.S.
“The Government of Nigeria remains open and willing to work closely with the Government of the United States, other friendly nations and partners, to achieve our shared goal, the complete elimination of terrorism on Nigerian soil,” Idris said at a November press conference, according to Reuters.
As of November, more than 13,500 militants have been killed, 17,000 suspects arrested, and over 11,200 hostages — including women and children — rescued, he said.
Republican lawmakers lauded the Thursday strike.
“President Trump has been clear that the killing of Christians in Nigeria must end. As I stated at the outset: Do not test President Trump‘s resolved in this matter. Tonight’s strike in coordination with the Nigerian government is just the first step to ending the slaughter of Christians and the security crisis affecting all Nigerians,” GOP Rep. Riley Moore (W.Va.) wrote in a post on X.
Moore is an outspoken advocate of Nigeria’s Christians, and Trump last month said he asked him to look into additional measures the U.S. might take “and report back to” him.
Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) echoed those sentiments.
“This is strong and decisive leadership by our President standing up for the persecuted Christians and taking on ISIS. God bless our military. Merry Christmas,” the House Freedom Caucus chair wrote in a statement on X.
On Thursday, Turkish authorities arrested more than 110 suspected members of ISIS across the country that were allegedly plotting attacks for Christmas and New Year festivities.
Updated at 9:12 p.m.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
