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By Daniel Adaji
The United States on Christmas Day, launched military strikes against ISIS militants operating in northwest Nigeria, President Donald J. Trump announced Thursday night, saying the action followed repeated warnings to the group over attacks on civilians.
In a statement released on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the strikes were carried out on his direct orders as Commander in Chief and targeted ISIS fighters he accused of killing civilians, particularly Christians.
“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!” he wrote.
The president said the operation was a response to earlier warnings issued by the United States to the group.
“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 said.
According to Trump, the strikes were executed by the U.S. military, which he referred to as the “Department of War,” and involved multiple attacks.
“The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing,” he stated.
He added that the action underscored his administration’s broader stance against extremist violence. “Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper,” Trump wrote.
The president concluded his message with a Christmas greeting and a warning of further action if attacks continue.
“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.”
The Christmas Day strikes come after repeated public statements by the United States signaling a tougher posture against ISIS-linked activity in Nigeria.
In recent months, U.S. officials have expressed concern over escalating attacks by extremist groups in parts of the country, warning that continued violence could trigger direct U.S. military action.
Trump’s statement suggests that such warnings were issued directly to ISIS militants operating in northwest Nigeria, with Thursday’s strikes framed as the fulfillment of those threats.
Nigeria has for years battled insurgent and extremist groups across different regions, with violence affecting both civilian populations and security forces.
The White House has not released additional operational details, including casualty figures or the duration of the strikes, beyond what was contained in the president’s statement.