LAS VEGAS (LVN) — President Donald J. Trump said late Christmas Day that the United States carried out a military strike targeting ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria, according to a statement he posted on social media.
In the post, Trump said the strike was ordered by him in his role as commander in chief and was aimed at ISIS fighters he accused of carrying out deadly attacks against civilians, particularly Christians. He described the operation as a decisive U.S. action and praised the American military for what he called “numerous perfect strikes.”
The president did not provide operational details, including the precise location, timing, or military assets involved. As of early Thursday, the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Africa Command had not issued a public statement confirming or detailing a U.S. strike in Nigeria.
ISIS-linked groups are known to operate in Nigeria, primarily in the country’s northeast, where Islamic State West Africa Province and factions tied to Boko Haram have waged a long-running insurgency. Violence in that region has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions. Northwest Nigeria, however, has more commonly faced large-scale criminal banditry and kidnappings rather than sustained ISIS-led operations.
The United States has previously supported counterterrorism efforts in West Africa through intelligence sharing, training, and limited military assistance to regional partners. Direct U.S. airstrikes in Nigeria are uncommon and, when they occur, are typically acknowledged through official military channels due to diplomatic and security considerations.
Trump’s statement framed the action as part of a broader effort to combat what he described as radical Islamic terrorism and reiterated his administration’s stance that the United States would not allow extremist groups to operate with impunity.
No information was immediately available regarding casualties, potential civilian impact, or coordination with Nigerian authorities.
This is a developing story and will be updated as additional information becomes available.