By Chimdiogo Amuh 

President Donald Trump said Thursday that he ordered US military strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) militants in northwest Nigeria, accusing the group of targeting and killing Christians.

In a social media post, Trump said he authorized what he described as a “powerful and deadly strike” against ISIS camps in the region. US Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed that airstrikes were conducted in Nigeria’s Sokoto state, near the border with Niger, in coordination with Nigerian authorities. According to AFRICOM’s initial assessment, multiple ISIS militants were killed.

AFRICOM later stated that the operation was carried out at the request of the Nigerian government. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also acknowledged Nigerian cooperation, expressing appreciation for the country’s support.

Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry confirmed working with the United States on airstrikes against terrorist targets and emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting all citizens regardless of religion or ethnicity. A senior adviser to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said both countries remain aligned in their fight against terrorism.

Trump, who is spending the Christmas holiday in Florida, said the strikes followed previous warnings to militants to stop attacks on Christians. He reiterated his administration’s stance against what he described as radical Islamic terrorism and praised the US military for the operation.

In recent months, Trump has repeatedly highlighted violence against Christians in Nigeria and has warned of possible US action if attacks continued. Earlier this year, his administration designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act, citing alleged religious freedom violations.

Nigeria has faced longstanding security challenges, including attacks by extremist groups as well as conflicts driven by ethnic tensions, communal disputes, and competition over land and resources. Analysts note that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of extremist violence in the country.

President Tinubu, in a Christmas message, reaffirmed his commitment to religious freedom and called for peace among Nigerians of different faiths.