The U.S. conducted airstrikes in northwest Nigeria on Christmas evening, targeting ISIS militants that the President accused of murdering Christians. He described the operation as decisive and cautioned that additional attacks would occur if the violence persists.
“This evening, under my command as Commander in Chief, the United States executed a powerful and lethal strike against in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and brutally murdering, mainly, innocent Christians, at a scale not witnessed for many years, even centuries!” Trump stated Thursday on Truth Social.
“I had earlier cautioned these Terrorists that if they failed to halt the massacre of Christians, they would face severe consequences, and tonight, they did. The Department of War carried out multiple flawless strikes, something only the United States can accomplish.
“Under my leadership, our nation will not permit Radical Islamic Terrorism to thrive,” he added. “May God bless our Military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone, including the deceased Terrorists, whose numbers will increase if their killing of Christians persists.”
In the previous month, Trump had threatened to “take actions in Nigeria that Nigeria won’t be pleased about” and “enter that now-shamed country with guns blazing.”
That threat paved the way for the Christmas-night strikes, which Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated met the president’s requirement to end the killings.
“The President made it clear last month: the murder of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and other places) must cease,” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth posted on X. “The is always ready, so ISIS discovered tonight — on Christmas. More to follow…
“Appreciative of the Nigerian government’s support and cooperation,” he added. “Merry Christmas!”
Subsequently, almost a month afterward, the Trump administration introduced a new visa-restriction policy in reaction to a series of brutal anti-Christian assaults in Nigeria, aimed at individuals accused of organizing religious violence against Christians in the West African country and globally.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the policy under the Immigration and Nationality Act will permit the State Department to refuse visas to those “who have directed, authorized, substantially supported, participated in, or executed violations of religious freedom.”
Close relatives may also encounter visa restrictions in certain instances.
“The United States is undertaking decisive measures in response to the mass murders and violence against Christians by radical Islamic terrorists, Fulani ethnic militias, and other violent groups in Nigeria and elsewhere,” Rubio said in the announcement.
The action came after an increase in attacks on Christians and Christian establishments in Nigeria. In the previous month, armed men invaded the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, murdering two individuals and abducting dozens. The 38 kidnapped worshippers were released nearly a week afterward.
Days afterward, armed assailants attacked St. Mary’s School in , kidnapping over 300 students and staff. School authorities reported that 50 students between ages 10 and 18 fled in the subsequent days, but 253 students and 12 teachers remain held captive.
The violence led Trump to classify Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” although the Nigerian government challenges the U.S. evaluation.
“I’m extremely angry about this,” the president told Radio last month. “What’s occurring in Nigeria is a disgrace.”
Reinforcing Trump’s warning, Rubio stated earlier this month, “As President Trump clarified, the ‘United States cannot remain idle while such atrocities occur in Nigeria and many other nations.'”
Digital’s Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.