United States President Donald Trump has confirmed that U.S. forces carried out what he described as “numerous” and “deadly” airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists operating in Northwest Nigeria, vowing further military action if attacks against Christians persist.

Trump disclosed this in a series of posts on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, saying the strikes were authorised by him in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief and executed by the U.S. Department of War.

According to the president, the strikes targeted ISIS militants whom he accused of viciously killing innocent civilians, particularly Christians, in parts of Nigeria.

“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,” Trump wrote.

He said he had previously warned the militants to halt the killings or face severe consequences.

“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,” he added.

Trump further stated that the Department of War executed the operation with precision.

“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,” he said.

The U.S. president also praised American military personnel for the operation, while adding a seasonal message.

“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,” he said.
In a related development, U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), confirmed the operation and expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s cooperation.

“The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end. The Department of War is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas,” Hegseth wrote.

He added, “Grateful for Nigerian government support and cooperation. Merry Christmas!”
Also confirming the operation, the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the strikes were conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities.

“At the direction of the President of the United States and the Secretary of War, and in coordination with Nigerian authorities, U.S. Africa Command conducted strikes against ISIS terrorists in Nigeria on Dec. 25, 2025, in Sokoto State,” AFRICOM said in a statement posted on X.

The command said the strikes resulted in the killing of multiple ISIS terrorists but did not immediately provide casualty figures.

The development comes amid heightened security concerns in Nigeria following a deadly attack in the North-East. On Wednesday, a bomb exploded inside a mosque in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, killing five people and injuring dozens in what authorities suspect was a suicide bombing.

Reports by international media, including The New York Post, note that Nigeria has for years been plagued by violence from armed extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Trump had, in November, threatened to cut off U.S. aid to Nigeria and take direct military action if the Nigerian government failed to do more to protect Christians from extremist attacks.

In a Truth Social post dated Nov. 1, the president said he had instructed the Department of War to “prepare for possible action” against what he described as “terrorist thugs” operating in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, diplomatic relations have also witnessed changes under the current U.S. administration. Last week, the Trump administration recalled more than two dozen ambassadors appointed by former President Joe Biden, including those posted to Nigeria and several other African countries.

Since assuming office in January, Trump has ordered or overseen U.S. military strikes in several regions, including Yemen, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Syria, the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean.