Trump orders deadly strike against ISIS terrorists in Nigeria over persecution of Christians

On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced that he had ordered a "powerful and deadly strike" on ISIS terrorists operating in northwest Nigeria, accusing them of persecuting Christians.

Trump’s announcement came via a post on social media, where he specifically referred to the strike as targeting “ISIS Terrorist Scum” who had been “killing innocent Christians.”

According to U.S. Africa Command, the strike was carried out at the request of Nigerian authorities in Sokoto state, which borders Niger to the north. The operation successfully killed multiple terrorists, and Trump praised the U.S. military for its precision, stating, “The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.”

Trump, in his post on Truth Social, added that he had previously warned terrorists that if they did not stop the killing of Christians, there would be severe consequences. “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,” Trump wrote. “Under my leadership, our country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper. 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 U.S. has been increasingly vocal about its support for Nigeria’s Christian population, with Trump focusing much of his attention in recent months on the country’s ongoing religious violence. He had previously called on his Secretary of Defense to “prepare for possible action” and threatened that the U.S. would intervene to protect Christians in Nigeria, an idea that some of his political allies, such as Sen. Ted Cruz, had endorsed.

In a separate post, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude for Nigeria’s cooperation in the operation, stating his appreciation for the Nigerian government’s support.

On Christmas Eve, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu also issued a message, wishing Christians across the nation and the world a Merry Christmas and praying for peace and religious harmony. Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding religious freedom in Nigeria and protecting all Nigerians, regardless of their faith. “I stand committed to doing everything within my power to enshrine religious freedom in Nigeria and to protect Christians, Muslims, and all Nigerians from violence,” Tinubu wrote.

Nigeria has been struggling with deep-rooted security challenges for years, exacerbated by religiously motivated attacks, ethnic tensions, and disputes over resources. Radical Islamist groups like Boko Haram and ISIS-affiliated terrorists have continued to target both Christians and Muslims, resulting in significant casualties.

In the fall of 2025, Trump accused Nigeria of violating religious freedom and designated it a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act, citing systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. Trump’s administration had highlighted the persistent threat to Christianity in Nigeria, claiming that the faith faced an existential threat.

The attacks on Nigerian Christians have become a central issue among American conservatives, with figures like Sen. Cruz urging U.S. intervention in the country to protect religious minorities. Despite his initial stance of limiting U.S. military intervention abroad, Trump’s administration has taken a more interventionist approach in the last year, ordering strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and increasing military presence in regions like Venezuela.

While the recent military action is seen as a victory for Trump and his supporters, it underscores the ongoing instability in Nigeria, where both Christians and Muslims continue to face violence at the hands of radical groups. The U.S. government, alongside the Nigerian leadership, has vowed to continue addressing the country’s security challenges while promoting religious tolerance and freedom for all Nigerians.

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