United States President Donald Trump has said American forces carried out multiple deadly airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists in northwestern Nigeria, warning that further attacks would follow if militants continued killing Christians.
Trump made the claim on Thursday in a post on his Truth Social platform, stating that the strikes were carried out under his directive as Commander in Chief.
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorists in northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians,” Trump wrote.
He added that the Department of War conducted what he described as “numerous perfect strikes,” insisting that the United States would not allow radical Islamic terrorism to thrive.
“I have warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughter of Christians, there would be consequences. Tonight, there were,” he said, while vowing more attacks if the killings continued.
In a separate post on X (formerly Twitter), US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the operation and expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s cooperation.
“The President was clear last month that the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria must end. ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. Grateful for Nigerian government support and cooperation,” Hegseth wrote.
US Africa Command also confirmed the operation, saying it carried out coordinated strikes that killed several ISIS operatives in Sokoto State.
“At the direction of the President of the United States and the Secretary of War, and in coordination with Nigerian authorities, U.S. Africa Command conducted strikes against ISIS terrorists in Nigeria on December 25, 2025, in Sokoto State,” the command said in a post.
The reported strikes came a day after a suspected suicide bombing at a mosque in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, killed at least five people and injured dozens.
Nigeria has for years faced attacks from armed groups including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Last month, Trump warned that the US could cut off aid to Nigeria and take military action if stronger steps were not taken to halt attacks on Christians. In an earlier post on November 1, he said he had instructed the Department of War to prepare for possible action against terrorist groups in the country.
The Trump administration recently recalled more than two dozen ambassadors appointed under former President Joe Biden, including those serving in Nigeria and other African countries.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has overseen US military operations in several regions, including Yemen, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Syria, the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
