Former U.S. President Donald Trump has disclosed that American military forces carried out airstrikes targeting terrorist elements operating in northwest Nigeria.
Trump said the operation was directed at armed groups accused of carrying out repeated attacks and mass killings across the region.
The announcement, made on December 25, quickly attracted global attention, as it suggested direct U.S. military involvement in Nigeria’s prolonged fight against terrorism and insurgency.
According to Trump, the strikes were authorized by him in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief and were specifically aimed at fighters linked to the Islamic State (ISIS).
He alleged that the militants had been deliberately attacking civilians, with Christians bearing the brunt of the violence.
Trump claimed the groups had been “brutally killing mostly innocent Christians at levels unseen for many decades, and even centuries,” adding that they had previously been warned to stop or face severe retaliation.
“Earlier tonight, acting under my authority as Commander in Chief, the United States carried out a powerful and lethal strike against ISIS terrorists in northwest Nigeria,” Trump stated.
“I made it clear to these terrorists that continued slaughter of Christians would have serious consequences and tonight, those consequences were delivered.”
He further asserted that the operation consisted of several highly accurate strikes, describing the mission as decisive and carefully executed.
Trump said the action was conducted by the U.S. Department of War and reiterated that his administration would not allow what he referred to as “radical Islamic terrorism” to expand unchecked.
In a Christmas message released after the announcement, Trump commended the U.S. armed forces and sparked controversy with the remark: “God bless our military, and Merry Christmas to everyone, including the dead terrorists.”
In response, Nigerian authorities later confirmed that foreign military strikes had occurred in parts of northern Nigeria.
The confirmation was issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who acknowledged the strikes but declined to provide further details regarding casualties, operational scope, or the extent of cooperation between Nigerian and U.S. forces.
Northwest Nigeria has in recent years experienced a surge in violence linked to armed banditry and terror-affiliated groups, resulting in widespread displacement and significant loss of life.
The area remains a key security concern for Nigerian authorities as well as international partners.
As of the time of this report, the Nigerian military has yet to release an official statement clarifying the nature of the operation or how it affects ongoing counterterrorism efforts.