United States President Donald Trump has announced that he ordered a military strike against Islamic State–affiliated militants operating in Nigeria, accusing the group of violently persecuting Christians in the country.
Trump made the disclosure in a statement published on his Truth Social account late Thursday night, saying the operation was carried out under his authority as Commander in Chief and targeted ISIS terrorists in northwest Nigeria.
In the statement, the president said:
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!
“I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was. The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing. Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper.
“May God Bless our Military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.”
President Trump has, in recent months, repeatedly highlighted the situation of Christians in Nigeria, describing the country as facing severe religious violence. He has issued strong warnings to extremist groups, directed the US Department of War to prepare for possible military action, and previously declared Nigeria a country of particular concern over alleged persecution of Christians.
