The United States carried out an airstrike against ISIS-affiliated militants in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day, according to a statement posted on Truth Social by former President Donald Trump. The strike was described as a response to ongoing attacks against Christian communities in the region.
In his post, Trump said the operation targeted ISIS militants whom he accused of “viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians.” He claimed the airstrike was conducted under his direction as Commander in Chief and warned that continued attacks on Christian populations would be met with further military action.
In a separate post on X, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated, “The @DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. More to come… Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation.” The message suggested coordination between U.S. forces and Nigerian authorities.
Christian communities in Nigeria have endured years of violent attacks, often with limited international response. Many observers and advocacy groups have described the situation as a “Christian genocide,” citing repeated assaults on churches, villages, and Christian populations across central and northern Nigeria.
Security conditions in Nigeria have significantly worsened in recent years, particularly in the predominantly Muslim northern regions. Since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in 2023, more than 10,000 people have reportedly been killed, hundreds abducted, and over 3 million displaced due to insurgency, banditry, and extremist violence.
According to reports, more than 7,000 Christians were killed in the first seven months of 2025 alone—an average of approximately 35 deaths per day. These atrocities prompted Moore to formally request that Secretary of State Marco Rubio designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) on October 5, citing severe violations of religious freedom.
