Trump announces 'powerful and deadly' airstrikes on Nigerian 'scum' over attacks on Christians

WASHINGTON, DC:  Christmas Day was not marked by celebration everywhere. In parts of Nigeria, the holiday unfolded amid fear and uncertainty.

Donald Trump said the United States carried out airstrikes in northwest Nigeria on Christmas night. He said the strikes targeted Islamic State militants. He accused the group of killing Christians in the area.

Trump shared the statement on Truth Social and described the operation as decisive, and warned that further attacks would follow if the violence continued. No additional details about the airstrikes were immediately available.

Trump says the US carried out decisive Christmas night strikes in northwest Nigeria

On Thursday, December 25, Trump shared, "Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the US launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Te***rist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!"

He also repeated an earlier warning to the group. "I have previously warned these Te*****sts that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was. The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing," he shared.

Trump went on to stress his stance on ter****sm. "Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Ter*****sm to prosper," he continued.

"May God Bless our Military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Ter*****ts, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues," he concluded.

US raises concerns over violence in Nigeria

According to Nick Sortor's X (formerly Twitter) post, a War Department official stated that the United States collaborated with the Nigerian government to conduct the strikes. The official said the Nigerian government 'approved' the operation.

Speaking about Trump, he has repeatedly said the US could take direct military action in Nigeria. He has argued that the Nigerian government has failed to stop attacks on Christians by Islamist groups.

Those groups have been accused of kidnapping and killing Christians over several years. Nearly a month later, the Trump administration announced a new visa-restriction policy, as per AP News.

Even Marco Rubio said the measure is grounded in the Immigration and Nationality Act. He said it gives the State Department authority to deny visas to those 'who have directed, authorized, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom.'

Nigeria is officially a secular nation. Its population is almost evenly split, with about 53 per cent Muslim and 45 per cent Christian. Violence involving Christian communities has drawn growing international attention, as per The Guardian.