The United States carried out airstrikes in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day targeting Islamic State–linked militants responsible for attacks on civilians, particularly Christians, according to U.S. and Nigerian officials.
U.S. Africa Command said the strikes were conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities in Sokoto State and resulted in the deaths of multiple ISIS terrorists. The operation targeted fighters affiliated with the Islamic State who have been active in the region and blamed for deadly assaults on local communities.
President Donald Trump confirmed the operation in a statement Thursday, describing it as a decisive response to ongoing violence against Christians in Nigeria.
“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 said in a social media post. “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.”
The strikes follow Trump’s recent decision to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” citing persistent religious violence and extremist attacks against Christian communities. Announcing the designation earlier this month, Trump said the United States would “stand ready, willing and able” to assist Christians facing persecution.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN,’” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Nigeria has struggled for years with insecurity fueled by jihadist groups, including Boko Haram and ISIS–West Africa Province, which are widely regarded as bearing the greatest responsibility for large-scale attacks on Christians in the country. In addition, extremist Fulani Muslim herders have been accused of carrying out raids on predominantly Christian villages, involving killings, kidnappings, and sexual violence.
The violence has drawn condemnation from Nigerian Christian leaders, the U.S. administration, and members of Congress. Several lawmakers, including Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Reps. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, and Riley Moore of West Virginia, have spoken out against the attacks. Sokoto Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah has described the situation as “mindless killings of our citizens.”
International religious leaders have also acknowledged the broader insecurity affecting the region. In November, Pope Leo XIV said, “I think in Nigeria, in certain areas, there is certainly a danger for Christians, but for all people. Christians and Muslims have been slaughtered.” He added, “There’s a question of terrorism. There’s a question that has to do a lot with economics, if you will, and control of the lands that they have. Unfortunately, many Christians have died, and I think it’s very, it’s important to seek a way for the government, with all peoples, to promote authentic religious freedom.”
Following Trump’s announcement of the U.S. strikes, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu responded by emphasizing unity and religious freedom. He said he would “pray for peace in our land, especially between individuals of differing religious beliefs,” and pledged to do “everything within my power to enshrine religious freedom in Nigeria and to protect Christians, Muslims, and all Nigerians from violence.”
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