United States President Donald J. Trump has revealed that the U.S. military carried out airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) fighters in Northwest Nigeria, accusing the group of targeting and killing Christians in the region and warning that further attacks would follow if the violence continues.
Trump made the claim in a statement posted on his verified Facebook handle, which he signed as President of the United States.
In the post, he said the strikes were ordered by him as Commander in Chief and described the operation as a decisive response to what he called sustained attacks on innocent civilians, particularly Christians.
According to Trump, the U.S. military launched what he termed “powerful and deadly” strikes on ISIS elements operating in Northwest Nigeria. He noted that the militants had been responsible for large-scale killings, saying he had previously warned them to stop or face severe consequences.
“The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing,” Trump wrote, adding that under his leadership the U.S. would not allow what he described as radical Islamic terrorism to prosper.
Trump concluded the statement by praising the U.S. military and extending Christmas greetings, a message that quickly sparked strong reactions online due to its timing and tone.
As of the time of publication, there has been no official confirmation from the U.S. Department of Defense, the White House, or Nigerian authorities that any U.S. military strikes were carried out in Northwest Nigeria. Typically, foreign military operations on Nigerian soil would involve coordination with the Nigerian government and formal announcements.
Nigeria continues to face serious security challenges from various armed groups, including jihadist factions mainly concentrated in the North-East, as well as bandits and criminal gangs in the North-West. Security analysts note that claims of U.S. strikes in the region would represent a significant development with major diplomatic and security implications.
Trump’s statement has generated mixed reactions on social media, with supporters praising his hardline approach to terrorism, while critics questioned the accuracy of the claims and expressed concern over the lack of independent verification.
Neither the Nigerian government nor international security agencies have, so far, publicly responded to the statement.
