President Donald Trump announced that the United States military carried out powerful and deadly strikes against ISIS targets in northwest Nigeria, responding to reports that the terrorist group has been targeting and brutally killing Christians in the region. The operation was confirmed by the president in a statement released on Christmas Day.

In a post on Truth Social, President Trump said the strikes were ordered directly by him in his role as Commander in Chief, emphasizing that the action followed repeated warnings to ISIS militants. According to the president, the terrorist group had escalated attacks against Christian communities to levels not seen in many years.

“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 wrote. He stated that the group had been “targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians,” and warned that continued violence would be met with severe consequences.

The president made clear that the operation was not sudden or unprovoked. He said ISIS had been explicitly warned that failure to stop the slaughter of Christians would result in decisive military action. “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 added.

The strikes signal a renewed emphasis by the Trump administration on confronting Islamist terrorism beyond the Middle East, particularly where religious minorities are under threat. U.S. officials have long warned that ISIS affiliates operating in Africa pose a growing danger, exploiting weak governance and targeting vulnerable civilian populations.

Supporters of the administration argue that the operation reflects President Trump’s long-standing doctrine of peace through strength, using decisive military force to deter terrorist violence and protect innocent lives. The announcement also reinforces the administration’s position that religious persecution, especially against Christians, will not be ignored on the global stage.

Further details about the scope and results of the strikes have not yet been released, but the president’s statement underscores a clear message: terrorist groups that engage in mass violence against civilians will face swift and overwhelming consequences from the United States.