Trump Orders Strikes on ISIS in Nigeria
US President Donald Trump announced that he ordered powerful strikes on ISIS targets in northwest Nigeria, calling the militants “terrorist scum.” He made this clear in posts on Truth Social, stating that the operation was necessary to stop attacks on Christians. Furthermore, Trump emphasized that radical Islamic terrorism would not prosper under his leadership.
Targeting Militants Who Attack Christians
According to Trump, the strikes focused on militants responsible for “viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians.” He warned earlier that continued violence would have 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 said. He also praised the US Department of War for executing “numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.”
Nigeria Confirms Cooperation with the US
The Nigerian government confirmed that the operation was part of ongoing security cooperation. The Foreign Ministry explained that the strikes involved intelligence sharing and joint planning. However, Nigerian officials stressed that extremist violence affects all communities. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu highlighted that Nigeria’s constitution protects citizens of all faiths. He reaffirmed that the country remains committed to working with the US to counter terrorism effectively.
US Military and Strategic Impact
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth thanked Nigeria for its support on X, noting that Trump had been clear about ending the killings of innocent Christians. The Pentagon also released a video showing a projectile launched from a warship, demonstrating precision and readiness. Moreover, these strikes mark a significant escalation of US involvement in West Africa. They aim to curb ISIS-linked violence and protect vulnerable communities while strengthening the strategic partnership between the US and Nigeria.
