In a dramatic Christmas Day announcement, former US President Donald Trump declared he had ordered a series of powerful American military strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists operating in Northwest Nigeria.
Christmas Day Declaration Against Terror
The announcement was made by Trump on December 25, 2025, via his Truth Social platform. The former President, who has frequently highlighted the persecution of Christians in Nigeria in recent months, stated the operation was a direct response to the ongoing violence.
"Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria," Trump wrote. He accused the militants of targeting and killing innocent Christians "at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries."
A Warning Delivered
Trump framed the action as the fulfillment of a prior warning. "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 stated. He praised the execution of the mission, noting, "The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing."
In a concluding message that blended seasonal greetings with a stark threat, Trump added, "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."
Months of Growing Tension
This military action did not occur in a vacuum. For several months leading up to Christmas, Trump had focused intensely on the security situation in Nigeria, particularly the plight of the Christian community.
Key developments include:
- In November 2025, Trump publicly called on his Secretary of Defense to "prepare for possible action."
- He issued a stark warning that the United States would enter Nigeria "guns-a-blazing" to protect the Christian population in Africa's most populous nation.
- His rhetoric consistently framed the conflict in Nigeria's northwest as a clear case of religious persecution requiring direct intervention.
The Christmas Day strikes represent a significant escalation of this stance, translating verbal warnings into concrete military action. The long-term implications for regional security and US-Nigeria relations remain to be seen.
