In a bold statement late Thursday, US President Donald Trump announced that the United States had launched a “powerful and deadly strike” against Islamic State militants in north-western Nigeria. He described the group as “terrorist scum” and accused it of killing primarily innocent Christians. Trump said the operation involved “numerous perfect strikes,” framing it as part of a broader effort to curb radical Islamic terrorism.
Africom later confirmed that the attack took place in Sokoto state and was carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities. Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar called the action a “joint operation” targeting terrorists and emphasized that it was not aimed at any religion. He indicated that further strikes would depend on decisions by both countries’ leadership.
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In response to the developments, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude for Nigerian government support and cooperation, while a US Defense Department video circulated showing missiles being launched from a naval vessel. Nigeria’s foreign ministry stated that the country remains engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners to address the threat of terrorism and violent extremism, noting that the strikes targeted terrorist threats with precision.
The timing of Trump’s remarks has drawn attention to longstanding tensions around religious violence in Nigeria. While Trump framed the strikes as defending Christian communities, Nigerian officials and researchers stress that jihadist violence has affected people across faiths. Analysts caution against oversimplifying the conflict, noting that Boko Haram and IS West Africa Province have caused widespread suffering among Muslims and Christians alike.
As regional leaders weigh next steps, Tinubu’s administration reiterated its commitment to protecting communities of all faiths and welcomed international cooperation in tackling jihadist insurgencies.
(This story has been published from a syndicated feed)
