US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he had ordered strikes against ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria, describing them as “terrorist scum” responsible for attacks on Christian populations. The Pentagon released video footage documenting the Christmas Day military operation.
The strikes followed Trump’s warnings from October and November when he characterized the situation as an “existential threat” and potential “genocide” against Nigerian Christians. The president had explicitly threatened military intervention if violence continued, warnings that have now been backed by concrete military action.
According to Trump’s statement, the Department of War executed multiple precision strikes against militants who had been systematically killing innocent Christians. He emphasized that only American forces possess such military capabilities and reaffirmed his administration’s zero-tolerance policy toward radical Islamic terrorism.
Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the operation as part of established security cooperation between the two countries. The partnership includes intelligence sharing and strategic coordination aimed at combating militant groups. Nigerian officials stressed that terrorist violence against any religious community contradicts the nation’s fundamental values.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed appreciation for Nigerian cooperation in enabling the strikes. He suggested that more operations could follow, noting that ISIS had learned this lesson on Christmas. The Pentagon video showed at least one projectile launching from a warship, providing visual documentation of the operation. While Nigerian President Bola Ahmed has participated in the security cooperation, he has also emphasized that Nigeria’s constitution protects citizens of all faiths and that the country maintains its commitment to religious tolerance despite facing ongoing security challenges.
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