The US carried out strikes on Islamic State-linked militants in north-western Nigeria, targeting camps in Sokoto state near the Niger border. The US military said an “initial assessment” indicated multiple fatalities.
US President Donald Trump described the Christmas Day strikes as “powerful and deadly,” calling the militants “terrorist scum” and claiming they had targeted “primarily innocent Christians.”
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar told the BBC the operation was a joint effort based on intelligence from Nigeria, emphasizing it was aimed at terrorists rather than a specific religion and could have occurred on any day.
The Nigerian government has long battled jihadist groups including Boko Haram and IS-affiliated factions, primarily in the north-east, far from Sokoto.
The Trump administration has previously accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians and labeled the country a “country of particular concern,” a designation allowing for sanctions over religious freedom violations.
Observers note there is no evidence of Christians being targeted more than Muslims in Nigeria. Nigerian officials stressed that militants attack people “across faiths” and supported coordinated US military action.
Trump confirmed the strikes on social media, vowing not to let “Radical Islamic Terrorism prosper.” US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth thanked Nigeria for its cooperation, posting “Merry Christmas!” on X. The Department of Defense shared a brief video showing a missile launch.
Nigeria’s foreign ministry said on Friday that the country continues “structured security co-operation with international partners, including the United States,” to combat terrorism and violent extremism.
Source: MyNewsGh.com
