US Strikes ISIS in Nigeria: Strategic Cooperation Targets Militant Groups

US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he had authorized strikes against ISIS positions in northwest Nigeria, describing the militants as “terrorist scum” responsible for attacks on Christian populations. The operation highlighted strategic cooperation between American and Nigerian forces.
The strikes followed Trump’s warnings issued in October and November when he described the situation as an “existential threat” and potential “genocide” against Nigerian Christians. The president had explicitly threatened military intervention if violence continued, warnings that materialized into military action conducted on Christmas Day.
In his statement, Trump emphasized that the Department of War executed precision strikes against militants who had been systematically killing innocent Christians. He highlighted American military capabilities and his administration’s zero-tolerance stance toward radical Islamic terrorism. The president praised the effectiveness of the operation.
Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the military action as part of established security cooperation involving intelligence sharing and strategic coordination to address terrorism and violent extremism. Nigerian officials stressed that their government opposes terrorist violence against all religious communities, viewing such attacks as fundamentally opposed to national values.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude to Nigeria for enabling the operation and indicated that additional strikes could follow. He referenced Trump’s previous clear warnings about protecting Christians. The Pentagon released video documentation showing missiles launching from warships. While Nigerian President Bola Ahmed has participated in the strategic cooperation, he has also maintained that Nigeria’s constitution protects citizens of all faiths and that the country is committed to working with international partners while ensuring religious freedom for all its people.