The United States has carried out an airstrike against ISIS-affiliated militants in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day, according to a Truth Social Post from President Donald Trump, citing ongoing attacks against Christian communities in the region.  

In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said the strike targeted ISIS militants whom he accused of “viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians,” and claimed the operation was conducted under his direction as Commander in Chief. He described the action as a response to continued violence carried out by extremist groups and warned that further attacks against Christians would result in additional military action.  

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, wrote a post on X, saying, “The @DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. More to come… Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation.”

Christians in Nigeria have faced ongoing attacks with minimal support from the international community until recently. Many have characterized the violence against Christians in Nigeria as “Christian genocide,” as violent incidents have occurred within churches and Christian communities in the central and northern regions of the country.  

Security conditions in Nigeria have deteriorated in recent years, particularly in the north, which is predominantly Muslim. Since Bola Tinubu took office as president in 2023, more than 10,000 people have been killed, hundreds have been abducted, and more than 3 million people have been displaced from their homes.  

In the first seven months of 2025 alone, more than 7,000 Christians have been killed, an average of 35 deaths per day. The atrocities led Moore to formally request that Secretary of State Marco Rubio designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) on Oct. 5. 

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