President Donald Trump said the US launched airstrikes in northwestern Nigeria on Christmas night, targeting ISIS militants he accused of killing Christians. He called the operation decisive and warned that further attacks would follow if the violence continued.
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly attack on ISIS terrorists in Northwestern Nigeria, predominately targeting and brutally killing innocent Christians at levels not seen in many years and even centuries!” Trump said this in Truth Social on Thursday.
“I have warned these terrorists before that if they did not stop the slaughter of Christians there would be hell, and tonight that was the case. The War Department carried out countless perfect attacks, as only the United States is capable of.
“Under my leadership, our country will not allow radical Islamic terrorism to flourish,” he continued. “May God bless our military and a Merry Christmas to all, including the dead terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.”
‘GENOCIDE CANNOT BE IGNORED’: GOP LAWMAKER SUPPORTS TRUMP’S THREAT OF MILITARY ACTION IN NIGERIA
A newsboy picks up a newspaper with an article about US President Donald Trump’s message to Nigeria over the treatment of Christians, at a newsstand in Ojuelegba, Lagos, Nigeria, November 2, 2025. (Reuters/Sodiq Adelakun)
US Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the attacks in a post on X on Thursday evening.
“At the direction of the President of the United States and the Secretary of War, and in coordination with Nigerian authorities, the US Africa Command conducted strikes against ISIS terrorists in Nigeria, Sokoto State on December 25, 2025,” the release said.
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz also spoke out after hearing about the attacks on ISIS forces in Nigeria.
“Merry Christmas to the Christians in Nigeria and around the world who know tonight that the President of the United States will fight for them,” he said in a message on X.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said Thursday: “I commend President Trump, Secretary Hegseth and our courageous troops for these attacks on bloodthirsty ISIS savages who are not only persecuting Christians but have killed many Americans.”
Last month, Trump threatened to “do things in Nigeria that Nigeria will not like” and “go into that now disgraced country with guns blazing.”
TRUMP ADMIN ADDRESS ANTICHRIST VIOLENCE WITH NEW VISA CRACKDOWN POLICY AFTER ATTACKS IN NIGERIA
A drone shot of Christians leaving St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church after Sunday Mass in Palmgrove, Lagos, Nigeria, November 2, 2025. (Reuters/Sodiq Adelakun)
That warning set the stage for the Christmas Eve strikes, which Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said met the president’s demand that the killings stop.
“The president was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end,” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on X. @DeptofWar is always ready, as ISIS discovered tonight – at Christmas. More to come…
“Grateful for the support and cooperation from the Nigerian government,” he added. “Merry christmas!”
Then, almost a month later, the Trump administration introduced a new visa restriction policy in response to a wave of brutal anti-Christian attacks in Nigeria, targeting those accused of orchestrating religious violence against Christians in the West African country and around the world.
TRUMP’S WARNING TO NIGERIA PROVIDES HOPE TO THE NATION’S PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS
President Donald Trump announced attacks against terrorists in Nigeria, killing Christians.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the policy in the Immigration and Nationality Act will allow the State Department to deny visas to those “who have directed, authorized, significantly supported, participated in, or committed acts of religious freedom.”
Immediate family members may also face visa restrictions in some cases.
“The United States is taking decisive action in response to the mass killings and violence against Christians by radical Islamic terrorists, ethnic Fulani militias, and other violent actors in Nigeria and beyond,” Rubio said in the statement.
The measure followed a wave of attacks on Christians and Christian institutions in Nigeria. Last month, gunmen stormed the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, killing two people and kidnapping dozens. The 38 kidnapped worshipers were released almost a week later.
Days later, armed assailants invaded St. Mary’s School Nigeria stateduring which more than 300 students and staff were kidnapped. School officials said 50 students ages 10 to 18 escaped in the following days, but 253 students and 12 teachers remain trapped.
The violence prompted Trump to designate Nigeria as a “country of special interest,” although the Nigerian government disputes the U.S. assessment.
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Echoing Trump’s warning, Rubio said earlier this month: “As President Trump made clear, the ‘United States cannot stand by while such atrocities occur in Nigeria and numerous other countries.’”
