SOKOTO/WASHINGTON : The United States military has carried out a significant strike against Islamic State (ISIS) militants in northwest Nigeria’s Sokoto state. The operation, conducted on Christmas Day, was authorized by President Donald Trump and executed in coordination with the Nigerian government.
Details of the Operation
- The Strike: U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed that multiple militants were killed in the precision strike. Reports indicate that over a dozen Tomahawk missiles were fired from a U.S. Navy warship in the Gulf of Guinea, targeting two specific militant camps.
- Trump’s Statement: In a post on Truth Social, President Trump described the mission as a “powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum.” He framed the action as a direct response to the “vicious killing” of innocent Christians in the region.
- Strategic Context: The strike follows Trump’s warnings in late October regarding an “existential threat” to Christianity in Nigeria. He stated, “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.”
🇳🇬 Nigeria’s Official Response
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar confirmed that the strike was a “joint operation” based on shared intelligence. However, he clarified that the mission “has nothing to do with a particular religion,” emphasizing that terrorism in Nigeria impacts both Muslims and Christians alike. President Bola Tinubu also reiterated his commitment to protecting all Nigerians from violence regardless of their faith.
