In a significant military escalation, President Donald Trump announced on Friday that the United States executed a "powerful and deadly" strike against Islamic State (ISIS) militants in northwest Nigeria. The action, framed as a direct response to the terror group's alleged targeting and killing of Christians, marks a notable intervention in a complex regional conflict and underscores the Trump administration's continued focus on religious persecution abroad.
The announcement was made via Trump's Truth Social platform, where he stated he had previously warned ISIS of consequences if the "slaughtering" of Christians in Nigeria continued. "The US will not allow radical Islamic terrorism to 'prosper' under my leadership," Trump asserted, describing the strikes as "perfect" and crediting the "Department of War" — a historical term not officially used since 1947, with the department now known as the Department of Defense.
"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.
He concluded with a pointed holiday message: "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 strike follows days of heightened rhetoric from the 79-year-old Republican leader, who has repeatedly accused ISIS and its affiliates of orchestrating a campaign of violence against Nigeria's Christian population. Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, is roughly divided between a predominantly Muslim north and a largely Christian south, with significant intermixing in the Middle Belt region, which has become a hotspot for communal and terrorist violence.
The persecution of Christians in Nigeria has been a persistent concern for international observers. The European Union has previously urged the Nigerian government to enhance protections for all citizens regardless of faith. The violence has intensified following the rise and fragmentation of Boko Haram, a jihadist group that pledged allegiance to ISIS in 2015, forming ISIS-West Africa (ISIS-WA).
According to data from the U.S.-based Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) programme, Nigeria witnessed 385 attacks against Christians between January 2020 and September 2025, resulting in 317 fatalities. The U.S. National Counterterrorism Centre notes that ISIS-WA frequently targets "regional military targets and civilian defence forces... and Christians."
The Trump administration has consistently linked these attacks directly to ISIS and has not spared criticism of the Nigerian government. It has previously threatened and implemented visa restrictions on Nigerian officials, citing insufficient action to protect religious minorities.
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