File photo courtesy of Persecution Org

 

President Donald Trump has declared a U.S. military attack on Islamic State targets in Nigeria, stating the group has been targeting Christians. In a Truth Social post, Trump confirmed commanding a "powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria," referring to Sokoto state, resulting in multiple militant casualties as per U.S. Africa Command on X.

 

Trump's recent emphasis has been on the plight of Christians in Nigeria, with his U.N. ambassador even inviting pop star Nicki Minaj to speak at the U.N. General Assembly. He had previously warned of military action if the attacks on Christians continued, and following the strikes, he claimed multiple "perfect" operations had been executed. Nigeria, meanwhile, continues its battle against Islamic State in the northwest, as highlighted by Nigerian Air Marshal Kelvin Aneke, urging his forces not to "leave any stone unturned."

 

U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude to Nigeria for its cooperation, hinting at further actions. Representative Addison McDowell praised Trump’s decisive action, stating Christian persecution in Nigeria must be stopped. This operation comes after U.S. airstrikes in Syria earlier in December, which resulted in the deaths of American soldiers.

 

Earlier, Trump had threatened Nigeria with military action over its alleged negligence in protecting Christians, proposing the cessation of all aid. He labelled Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over religious freedom violations, with Nicki Minaj supporting these allegations.

 

Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu responded, refuting claims of religious intolerance that were exaggerated and emphasising the government's dedication to safeguarding all religious communities. Tinubu asserted that armed groups indiscriminately target both Muslims and Christians, contradicting the Trump administration's narrative of Christian persecution.

 

Key Takeaways:

• U.S. military strike in Nigeria targeted ISIS in Sokoto state, following directives from Trump.
• Trump criticised Nigeria for insufficient Christian protection and warned of possible further action.
• Nigerian government rejects claims of religious intolerance as a misrepresentation.

Related Story:

Turkey Nabs 115 ISIS Suspects in Pre-Holiday Raids

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from USA Today 2025-12-26

 

 

 

And now you can give ”Dozen Don” his peace medal.

Nigeria has oil, I suspect this is linked in somehow knowing the US ?

37 minutes ago, The Old Bull said:

Nigeria has oil, I suspect this is linked in somehow knowing the US ?

 

Why not read the linked USA piece before you cast too many suspicions?

 

Here's a link to the BBC version:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj69j8l918do

 

Which includes this paragraph:

In a statement late on Friday, Nigeria's information ministry said "precision strike operations" had been carried with the "explicit approval" of President Bola Tinubu and with "the full involvement of the armed forces of Nigeria".

 

So, the action was supported by the Nigerian Government and the Nigerian military was involved.

 

This problem has been ongoing for years and is getting worse.

1 hour ago, The Old Bull said:

Nigeria has oil, I suspect this is linked in somehow knowing the US ?

Of course it is. Greenland, Venezuela, Canada, Nigeria. It's all about the resources.

On Christmas night, Trump posted on Truth Social: "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! The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing."

Saturday's Post report contradicted the president's characterization. Of 16 Tomahawk missiles launched, four failed to detonate. The unexploded warheads were recovered from random locations, including an onion field and a forest.

Nigerian and Western analysts assessed the operation's impact skeptically. "Given the location, it was unlikely that the strikes hit high-level members of the Islamic State, who are most active in the northeast of the country," the report stated.

New evidence blows apart Trump's Christmas night attack claims: report

A U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) official acknowledged the mission's limited effectiveness, admitting the assault was "likely not very effective and did not remove any camps or capabilities."

On 12/27/2025 at 5:07 PM, The Old Bull said:

Nigeria has oil, I suspect this is linked in somehow knowing the US ?

No. It's about throwing a bone to the Christian right.

10 hours ago, bannork said:

On Christmas night, Trump posted on Truth Social: "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! The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing."

Saturday's Post report contradicted the president's characterization. Of 16 Tomahawk missiles launched, four failed to detonate. The unexploded warheads were recovered from random locations, including an onion field and a forest.

Nigerian and Western analysts assessed the operation's impact skeptically. "Given the location, it was unlikely that the strikes hit high-level members of the Islamic State, who are most active in the northeast of the country," the report stated.

New evidence blows apart Trump's Christmas night attack claims: report

A U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) official acknowledged the mission's limited effectiveness, admitting the assault was "likely not very effective and did not remove any camps or capabilities."

Raw Rubbish.

4 minutes ago, nauseus said:

Raw Rubbish.

Thanks for the great explanation.

53 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Thanks for the great explanation.

If you had looked at the link then you might have been able to work that out for yourself. But then again...

This Raw Story piece suddenly mentions 'Saturday's Post report contradicted the president's characterization" but fails completely to identify what "Post" it is referring to and fails to link on to that story, if there was one. Typical made-up nonsense from Raw Story.

Furthermore, attacks on Christians have been occurring all across northern Nigeria.

4 minutes ago, nauseus said:

If you had looked at the link then you might have been able to work that out for yourself. But then again...

This Raw Story piece suddenly mentions 'Saturday's Post report contradicted the president's characterization" but fails completely to identify what "Post" it is referring to and fails to link on to that story, if there was one. Typical made-up nonsense from Raw Story.

Furthermore, attacks on Christians have been occurring all across northern Nigeria.

I don't agree with it, but there's a real explanation.

Great news. Nigeria is a terrorist haven. Almost as bad as Somalia and Sudan.

Take em out Don.

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

Great news. Nigeria is a terrorist haven. Almost as bad as Somalia and Sudan.

Take em out Don.

Seems you missed this.

"Of 16 Tomahawk missiles launched, four failed to detonate. The unexploded warheads were recovered from random locations, including an onion field and a forest.

Nigerian and Western analysts assessed the operation's impact skeptically. "Given the location, it was unlikely that the strikes hit high-level members of the Islamic State, who are most active in the northeast of the country," the report stated."

4 hours ago, stevenl said:

I don't agree with it, but there's a real explanation.

Clear as mud, yet again.

Unexploded missiles, witnesses undercut Trump account of Nigeria strike

Of the 16 U.S. Tomahawk missiles fired at militants in Nigeria, at least four appeared not to explode, according to officials and imagery reviewed by The Post.

Unexploded missiles, unclear targets in Trump’s strikes on Nigeria - The Washington Post

Epstein files distraction.