WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump announced late Friday that he authorized a U.S. military strike against ISIS-affiliated fighters in northwestern Nigeria, marking a rare American operation in the region. The strike, carried out “at my direction as Commander in Chief,” targeted militants accused of orchestrating a series of deadly attacks on Christian communities, according to Trump’s public statement on social media.
In his post, Trump described the assault as a “powerful and deadly strike” on what he called “ISIS Terrorist Scum,” asserting that the U.S. military executed “numerous perfect strikes” against the group.
He said the operation came in response to continued violence against Christians in the area, warning that future attacks on civilians would draw similar U.S. action.
The Department of Defense did not immediately release official details about the timing, scope, or number of casualties resulting from the strike. U.S. military officials have confirmed in recent months that ISIS-linked insurgents have expanded operations in Nigeria’s northwest, an area previously dominated by local bandit groups rather than jihadist organizations.
If verified, this would be the first publicly acknowledged American airstrike in Nigeria in several years and one of the most direct U.S. military actions in West Africa since Trump returned to office. Trump’s statement referred to the Pentagon as the “Department of War,” a term not used officially since World War II, underscoring his administration’s aggressive framing of counterterrorism policy.
The President concluded his message by praising U.S. forces and linking the operation to Christmas, writing, “May God Bless our Military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists.”
The White House and Pentagon are expected to provide additional information as the situation develops.
Trump says U.S. forces carried out a “powerful and deadly” strike on ISIS-linked militants in Nigeria after attacks on Christians.