Trump admin strikes Nigerian ISIS terrorists on Christmas to protect Christians

In a statement posted Thursday on Truth Social, the president wrote, “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS…in Northwest Nigeria,” alleging the group had been “targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians.” He claimed the attacks had reached levels “not seen for many years, and even centuries.”

Trump added, “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,” adding that the Department of War executed “numerous perfect strikes.”

He continued by pledging that, under his leadership, the US would not allow “radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper,” closing the post with a message of support for the military and a Christmas greeting that included “the dead Terrorists,” while warning “there will be many more” if attacks persist.

The strikes were also "approved by the government of Nigeria."

US Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the operation in a post on X late Thursday. According to the statement, the strikes were conducted “in coordination with Nigerian authorities” and took place on Dec. 25, 2025, in Sokoto State. “At the direction of the President of the United States and the Secretary of War…U.S. Africa Command conducted strikes against ISIS terrorists in Nigeria,” the statement read.

The Christmas-night strikes follow comments Trump made last month in which he threatened to take aggressive measures against Nigeria if the killings did not stop. He said the US would “do things in Nigeria that Nigeria is not going to be happy about,” describing potential action as going in “guns-a-blazing.”

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth indicated the airstrikes were directly connected to that warning. In a post on X, he said: “The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end.” He added that the Pentagon was prepared, and that ISIS “found out tonight — on Christmas. More to come…”

Hegseth also thanked the Nigerian government for supporting the operation. “Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation,” he wrote, ending his post with: “Merry Christmas!”

Nearly a month after Trump’s initial warning, the administration also unveiled a new visa-restriction policy aimed at those accused of orchestrating religious violence against Christians in Nigeria and elsewhere. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the policy under the Immigration and Nationality Act, saying it would allow the State Department to deny visas to individuals who have “directed, authorized, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom.” In some cases, immediate family members may also face visa restrictions. “The United States is taking decisive action in response to the mass killings and violence against Christians by radical Islamic terrorists, Fulani ethnic militias, and other violent actors in Nigeria and beyond,” Rubio said.

According to Fox News, the new policy and the airstrikes come amid escalating attacks on the Christian community in Nigeria. Last month, gunmen stormed the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, killing two people and thirty-eight abducted worshipers. Days after that, terrorists raided St. Mary’s School in Niger State, abducting more than 300 students and staff. The violence also prompted Trump to designate Nigeria a “country of particular concern.”

US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz posted on X, “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.”

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AK) called the ISIS terrorists “bloodthirsty savages” and commended Trump, Secretary Pete Hegseth, and US troops for the operation. Cotton said the group had not only persecuted Christians but had also “killed many Americans.”