U.S. president orders deadly strikes against ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria

U.S. president orders deadly strikes against ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria

By: Zagazola Makama

President Donald J. Trump announced that the United States had launched a powerful and deadly military strike against Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist targets in Nigeria, in response to what he described as ongoing attacks on primarily innocent Christians in the region.

In a post on his social media platform, Mr. Trump said the operation was conducted “at my direction as Commander in Chief” and targeted ISIS militants whom he accused of “viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even centuries.”

The president said he had previously warned the extremist group to halt attacks on Christians or face consequences, adding: “tonight, there was.”

Mr. Trump described the strikes as “numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing,” and reiterated that under his leadership the U.S. would not allow “Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper.” He extended Christmas greetings to U.S. military forces and said there would be “many more” such strikes if the killing of Christians continued.

The announcement marks a significant escalation of U.S. military involvement in Nigeria’s complex security landscape. Western and Nigerian officials have long warned that militant groups such as ISIS’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram pose a persistent threat in northern Nigeria, where attacks on civilians including Christians and Muslims alike have killed thousands over the past decade.

Reactions to the U.S. action are still emerging. The strikes come amid ongoing debates over Nigeria’s sovereignty and the best approach to combat extremist violence in West Africa. Previous statements by the Nigerian government welcomed U.S. assistance in fighting terrorism provided it respects the country’s territorial integrity.

The full military impact of the operation including casualties among militants or its implications for Nigeria’s internal security strategy has not yet been independently verified.
End