United States President Donald J. Trump has claimed that the U.S. military carried out what he described as a “powerful and deadly strike” against ISIS elements operating in northwest Nigeria, accusing the group of targeting and killing Christians on a large scale.
In a statement posted on his verified Facebook page, Trump said the operation was conducted at his direction while serving as Commander in Chief, warning that further attacks on Christians would attract even harsher consequences.
“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.
He claimed the strikes followed prior warnings issued to the terror group.
“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 added.
Trump said the operation was executed by what he referred to as the “Department of War,” praising the precision and capacity of the U.S. military.
“The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing,” he said.
Reiterating his long-held position on terrorism, the former president declared that extremist violence would not be tolerated under his leadership.
“Under my leadership, our country will not allow radical Islamic terrorism to prosper,” Trump stated.
He concluded the message with a religious invocation and a Christmas greeting, including a controversial remark directed at the militants.
“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,” he wrote.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official confirmation from the Nigerian authorities regarding any U.S. military operation in northwest Nigeria. Security experts note that Nigeria has been battling multiple extremist groups, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), particularly in the northern regions.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that the statement has since generated widespread reactions online, with supporters applauding Trump’s hardline stance on terrorism, while critics questioned both the timing and veracity of the claims, as well as the diplomatic and security implications for Nigeria and the wider West African region.
