The United States has carried out a major military operation against Islamic State (ISIS) operatives in northwest Nigeria, with President Donald Trump confirming that American forces launched what he described as a “decisive and lethal” strike targeting extremist hideouts in the region.
In a statement issued on Friday, Trump said the action followed repeated warnings to ISIS-linked groups over escalating violence against Christian communities in Nigeria. The US President asserted that Washington would not tolerate the continued persecution of civilians and made it clear that radical Islamist terrorism would be confronted with force under his leadership.
Posting on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said the operation was conducted on his direct orders as Commander-in-Chief and was executed with precision by US military forces. He claimed the targeted militants had been responsible for brutal killings of Christians, describing the violence as among the worst seen in generations.
Trump also used the occasion to praise the US armed forces, stating that further action would follow if attacks on civilians continued. His remarks came just days after he publicly warned extremist groups operating in Nigeria of serious consequences if religious violence did not stop.
Nigeria has witnessed years of bloodshed linked to jihadist groups, particularly after Boko Haram pledged allegiance to ISIS and evolved into ISIS-West Africa Province (ISIS-WA). The insurgency has destabilised large parts of the country, leading to mass displacement and thousands of deaths across religious lines.
International concern over the situation has grown steadily. The European Union has previously urged Nigerian authorities to ensure protection for all citizens regardless of faith, while US agencies have repeatedly flagged the targeting of Christian communities by ISIS-affiliated factions.
According to conflict monitoring data from US-based organisations, hundreds of attacks on Christians have been recorded in Nigeria over the past five years, resulting in significant loss of life. The Trump administration has blamed ISIS-linked networks for much of the violence and has hinted at further diplomatic and policy measures, including visa restrictions, if the situation does not improve.
