US hit terror targets in Nigeria as Trump vows no mercy for IS By Jamil GULMA- Kebbi
US hit terror targets in Nigeria as Trump vows no mercy for IS
The United States has carried out what it described as “powerful and deadly” airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) elements operating in north-western Nigeria, President Donald Trump has said.
In a post on his Truth Social platform late Thursday, Trump said the US military “executed numerous perfect strikes” against the group, which he labelled “terrorist scum,” accusing it of targeting and killing innocent civilians, particularly Christians. He added that under his leadership, the United States would not allow “radical Islamic terrorism to prosper.”
The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) later confirmed that the airstrikes were conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities in Sokoto State.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, also confirmed the operation, describing it as a joint mission targeting terrorists and stressing that it “has nothing to do with a particular religion.”
Tuggar said the operation had been planned for some time and was based on intelligence provided by Nigeria.
He did not rule out further strikes, noting that future actions would depend on decisions taken by the leadership of both countries.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth welcomed Nigeria’s cooperation, expressing gratitude for the support of the Nigerian government.
The US Department of Defense also released an unclassified video appearing to show a missile launch from a military vessel.
On Friday, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country remained engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States, to address the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism.
The ministry said the collaboration had resulted in precision airstrikes on terrorist targets in the North-West.
President Bola Tinubu has repeatedly maintained that Nigeria upholds religious tolerance, stressing that the country’s security challenges affect citizens across faiths and regions.
This followed Trump’s earlier declaration of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged severe violations of religious freedom, a designation that can trigger US sanctions.
Trump claimed thousands of Christians had been killed, though no evidence was provided.
In response, Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with the United States and the international community to protect communities of all faiths.
Nigeria has battled jihadist violence for over a decade, particularly from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province in the North-East, where thousands have been killed.
However, data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) indicates that most victims of the insurgency have been Muslims.
In central Nigeria, recurring clashes between mostly Muslim herders and largely Christian farming communities over land and water have also claimed thousands of lives, with atrocities reported on both sides. Human rights groups say there is no evidence that Christians have been disproportionately targeted nationwide.
