Washington: US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday night (local time) that the United States carried out a “powerful and deadly strike” against Islamic State (IS) terrorists in northwest Nigeria, accusing them of targeting and killing Christians in the region.
“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!” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.
Trump had been warning the terror group from late October. “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,” he wrote.
The President informed that the operation involved “numerous perfect strikes” carried out by the US military. “The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing,” he stated.
“Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper. May God bless our Military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all,
including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues,” Trump added.
Over many years, Nigeria has been devastated by violence from extremist groups, including IS-linked factions and Boko Haram.
The US recently designated Nigeria a ‘country of particular concern’ under the International Religious Freedom Act, with President Trump saying last month he had directed the Pentagon to start planning military action following claims of persecution of Christians.
The United States has also announced visa restrictions on Nigerians and family members linked to mass killings and violence against Christians.
On Christmas Day, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu vowed to protect religious freedom.
in a statement and letter published on social media on Christmas Day.
“As your President, I remain committed to doing everything within my power to enshrine religious freedom in Nigeria and to protect all people of different faiths from violence,” Tinubu said in a letter shared on social media.
“Since I assumed office in 2023, I have continually reassured Nigerians of our unyielding commitment to safeguarding the security, unity, and stability of our nation,” the letter read.
According to the Nigerian government, it’s not true that Christians are being systematically persecuted. Armed groups have targeted both Muslims and Christians, government officials have argued.