President Donald Trump said the United States conducted airstrikes on Christmas night against ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria, citing recent killings of Christians and warning that additional action would follow if the violence continues.
In a Thursday post, he called the targets “Terrorist Scum” and said the operation was decisive, adding that he had previously warned militants to stop or face consequences.
U.S. Africa Command later confirmed that, at the direction of the president and the secretary of war and in coordination with Nigerian authorities, it carried out strikes on December 25, 2025, in Sokoto State. Senior officials framed the operation as a targeted response tied to specific militant activity, while noting that the United States would continue to coordinate closely with Nigerian counterparts.
What the Administration and AFRICOM Said
Trump said the strikes were ordered “at my direction as Commander in Chief,” describing them as “powerful and deadly” and aimed at ISIS fighters he accused of “viciously killing” Christians. He praised U.S. forces and vowed that radical Islamist terrorism would not be allowed to prosper. The president also posted a Christmas message that underscored his intent to continue operations if attacks on civilians persist.
AFRICOM confirmed the action and said the strikes were undertaken in coordination with Nigerian authorities. Command officials did not release details on the number of targets or munitions employed. No casualty figures were provided by U.S. or Nigerian officials immediately after the operation, and neither side announced damage assessments beyond acknowledging the strikes occurred in Sokoto State.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth echoed the president’s remarks, saying the department was ready and that militants “found out tonight — on Christmas.” He thanked the Nigerian government for support and cooperation. The comments followed Trump’s warnings last month that the United States would “do things in Nigeria” if attacks on Christians continued.
Political and Diplomatic Reactions
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz praised the operation, telling Christians in Nigeria and globally that the president “will fight for them.” Sen. Tom Cotton commended Trump, Hegseth, and U.S. forces, saying the strikes hit “bloodthirsty ISIS savages” who persecute Christians and have killed Americans.
The administration positioned the action as part of a broader effort to deter extremist attacks and protect civilians. Officials said further measures remain on the table if militant violence continues, while reiterating that any U.S. action in Nigeria would be coordinated with Abuja.
Nigerian authorities did not immediately release a detailed statement on the targets or whether Nigerian assets supported the operation, beyond acknowledging coordination.
New Visa Restrictions Tied to Religious-Persecution Cases
Nearly a month after Trump’s public warning, the administration rolled out a visa-restriction policy under the Immigration and Nationality Act aimed at individuals accused of orchestrating religiously motivated violence in Nigeria and elsewhere.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the policy authorizes the State Department to deny entry to those who have directed, authorized, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom. In certain cases, immediate family members may also face restrictions.
The State Department also announced that Nigeria has been designated a country of particular concern because of mass killings and other abuses attributed to radical Islamist terrorists, Fulani ethnic militias, and additional violent actors.
The designation signals an elevated U.S. focus on incidents that target Christians and Christian institutions, as well as broader threats to communities and houses of worship. Nigerian officials have disputed aspects of the U.S. assessment.
