The Minister of Defense confirms that the strikes were carried out at the request of the Nigerian authorities in Sokoto State
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the United States carried out a powerful strike against sites in Nigeria targeting members of the Islamic State (ISIS).
Through his account on the Truth Social platform, which he owns, Trump stated that the operation was conducted under his direct orders as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
In his post, Trump said, “I previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop slaughtering Christians, they would pay a heavy price—and tonight, that happened,” adding that “the Department of Defense executed several strikes with precision.”
He also wrote, “God bless our military,” wishing “Merry Christmas to all, including the dead terrorists, whose numbers would have been much higher had they continued committing massacres against Christians.”
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Higgsith said the raid resulted in the deaths of “a number of Islamic State terrorists,” adding, “We carried out the strike at the request of the Nigerian authorities in Sokoto State.” He added, “Trump was clear when he said that the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria and elsewhere must end,” and continued, “The Pentagon is always ready, and ISIS realized that tonight, on Christmas. There will be more, and we are grateful for the support and cooperation of the Nigerian government.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Africa Command stated that “the strikes also demonstrate our commitment to eliminating terrorist threats targeting Americans,” describing the strikes as “lethal and showcasing the power of the U.S. military.
A month ago, Trump said, “He has instructed the Pentagon to begin planning a potential military operation in Nigeria” following allegations of persecution against Christians. In recent weeks, the State Department announced that it would impose visa restrictions on Nigerians and their family members involved in mass killings and violence against Christians in the West African country.
