President Donald Trump announced Thursday night that the United States military executed precision airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in northwest Nigeria, specifically in Sokoto State, describing the operation as a “powerful and deadly strike” against militants accused of targeting and killing innocent Christians.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared: “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria… 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.”

U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the strikes were carried out “at the direction of the President… and in coordination with Nigerian authorities,” resulting in multiple ISIS fighters killed. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth thanked Nigeria for its support and suggested further actions may follow.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement acknowledging “structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States,” which enabled precision hits on terrorist targets in the northwest. The ministry emphasized that cooperation includes intelligence sharing, strategic coordination, and support consistent with international law, sovereignty, and commitments to regional and global security. It reiterated that all efforts prioritize protecting civilian lives, national unity, and citizens’ rights “irrespective of faith or ethnicity,” condemning terrorist violence against any community.

The operation follows Trump’s repeated warnings since November about violence against Christians in Nigeria and marks escalated U.S. involvement in West Africa under the America First strategy.