The United States has carried out what President Donald Trump described as “powerful and deadly” military strikes against Islamic State (IS) targets in north-western Nigeria.
In a post late Thursday on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the US military had “executed numerous perfect strikes” against the extremist group, which he branded “terrorist scum”.
“They are targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians,” Trump wrote, adding that “under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper”.
The US Africa Command (Africom) later confirmed that the strikes were conducted on Thursday in coordination with Nigerian forces in Sokoto State.
Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, told the BBC the operation was a joint effort between both countries, stressing that it was aimed at terrorists and not driven by religious considerations.
“This is a joint operation targeting terrorists, and it has nothing to do with a particular religion,” Tuggar said.
He did not rule out further military action, noting that future strikes would depend on “decisions to be taken by the leadership of the two countries”.
The strikes follow an order by Trump in November directing the US military to prepare for possible action in Nigeria against Islamist militant groups. At the time, he did not specify which attacks or killings prompted the directive, although claims of a genocide against Christians in Nigeria have circulated in recent months within some right-wing circles in the United States.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also acknowledged Nigeria’s role in the operation, thanking Abuja for its cooperation.
“Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation,” Hegseth wrote on X, adding: “Merry Christmas!”
