U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed an air strike against ISIL fighters in northwest Nigeria.

The operation follows weeks of preparation after the President directed the Pentagon to develop military options in response to reports of Christian persecution in the region.

“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 said in a post on his Truth Social platform on December 25 evening.

President Trump confirmed the strikes were a direct response to the “vicious” targeting of Christians in the region.

Warning of “hell to pay” for continued slaughter, the President signaled that the U.S. military action was a promised retaliation for atrocities he described as reaching levels unseen for centuries.

“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,” Trump said.

AFRICOM Stands with Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry

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According to the U.S. military’s Africa Command (AFRICOM), which is responsible for operations in Africa, the attack occurred on Thursday, December 25, 2025, in Sokoto State, Nigeria.

“At the direction of the President of the United States and the Secretary of War, and in coordination with Nigerian authorities, U.S. Africa Command conducted strikes against ISIS terrorists in Nigeria on Dec. 25, 2025, in Sokoto State,” AFRICOM said on an X post.

Nigeria’s foreign ministry said the strikes were carried out as part of ongoing security cooperation with the US, involving intelligence sharing and strategic coordination to target militant groups.

“This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West,” the Nigerian ministry said.

Abduction of Students

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While Nigeria has long struggled with a mix of terror groups, criminal gangs, and banditry that target both Muslim and Christian populations, the U.S. response has focused heavily on religious persecution. U.S.

The abduction of the students from Saint Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, in Niger State’s Agwara district, is the single largest kidnapping to date.

Since January 2023, at least 816 pupils have been taken in 22 school attacks – part of a far broader multi-million dollar kidnapping industry terrorising Nigeria.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signaled that this intervention is far from over. In a social media post, Hegseth noted that the “Department of War” remains prepared for further action, writing.

“The @DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. More to come . . . ,” Pete wrote.

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US President Donald Trump speaking at past event. PHOTO/pixels