US President Donald Trump has warned that further military strikes will follow if ISIS-linked terrorists continue killing Christians in Nigeria. He confirmed that he personally authorized recent US airstrikes targeting the group in the country’s North-West region.
Trump made the statement on Thursday via his Truth Social account, describing the operation as a direct response to sustained attacks on Christian communities. He said US forces carried out “numerous perfect strikes” against ISIS fighters operating in the area, following earlier warnings issued to the group.
According to Trump, the militants were told to stop the killings or face severe consequences. He said those warnings were ignored, prompting decisive military action. The president stressed that the strikes were deliberate and aimed at stopping what he described as unprecedented violence against Christians.
He added that the operation was executed by the US Department of War, praising its precision and effectiveness. Trump said his administration would not allow radical Islamic terrorism to thrive, either in Nigeria or elsewhere.
In a Christmas message tied to the operation, Trump issued a blunt warning. He said more terrorists would be targeted if the killings continued, while offering praise for the US military’s role in the strikes.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also confirmed the operation, saying it sent a clear message to ISIS. He noted that Washington acted in coordination with Nigerian authorities and thanked the Nigerian government for its cooperation. Hegseth said the administration had been clear for weeks that attacks on innocent Christians would not be tolerated.
The United States Africa Command later confirmed that the strikes took place on December 25, 2025, in Sokoto State. In a statement, AFRICOM said multiple ISIS terrorists were killed during the coordinated operation carried out with Nigerian security forces.
The strikes mark a notable escalation in US military involvement against ISIS elements in Nigeria. They also highlight growing international attention on the country’s security challenges, particularly the targeting of civilian and religious communities.
With Trump signaling readiness for further action, attention now turns to whether the strikes will weaken ISIS operations or trigger broader security responses across the region.
