Former US President Donald Trump has publicly announced that the United States military carried out a series of airstrikes targeting Islamic State (ISIS) militants in Nigeria on Thursday. Trump made the declaration via a post on his Truth Social platform, framing the action as a direct response to the group's alleged targeting of Christian communities.
Trump's Announcement and Justification
In his characteristically forceful statement, Trump wrote: “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!” He added that he had previously warned the militants to cease their actions or face consequences, stating “there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was.” Trump praised the execution of the strikes, which he said were carried out by the Department of War.
Official Confirmation and Nigerian Coordination
The US military's Africa Command (AFRICOM) later confirmed that the operation took place in Sokoto state, located in Nigeria's north-west. Crucially, they stated it was conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude for “Nigerian government support + cooperation.”
Nigeria's foreign ministry corroborated the account, describing the strikes as part of an ongoing security partnership with the US involving intelligence sharing and strategic coordination. “This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West,” the ministry posted on X.
A Complex Security Landscape
The announcement taps into a long-standing and complex security crisis within Nigeria. Trump has repeatedly criticised the Nigerian government's efforts to protect Christians from attacks by Islamist groups, previously vowing a “guns-a-blazing” US intervention.
While violence against Christians has drawn significant international attention, particularly from the American religious right, the Nigerian government has consistently rejected framing the conflict purely as religious persecution. Officials argue that armed groups target both Muslims and Christians, and that such a simplistic view ignores the multifaceted nature of the security challenges and efforts to safeguard religious freedom.
Many analysts point to deeper, historical roots for the violence, including competition over land and water resources between itinerant Muslim herders and predominantly Christian farming communities. Furthermore, while priests and pastors are frequently kidnapped for ransom, some experts suggest criminal profit, rather than religious ideology, is often the primary driver.
A Pattern of Military Action
This strike marks another significant overseas military action during Trump's current term, despite his 2024 campaign promise to extricate America from “endless wars” and his positioning as a “candidate of peace.” His administration has already authorised strikes in Yemen, Iran, and Syria, alongside a major military buildup in the Caribbean focused on Venezuela.
The incident underscores the continuing US military engagement in Africa through AFRICOM and highlights the delicate balance of international cooperation, domestic political messaging, and the intricate local realities of conflict zones.
