The United States carried out a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorists in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day, targeting groups that have been viciously killing innocent Christians, according to President Donald Trump.

The strike, executed at Trump’s direction, killed multiple ISIS militants in Sokoto State, as confirmed by the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Nigerian government

Trump stated that the US would not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper under his leadership, warning that more strikes would follow if the violence against Christians continues. The Nigerian government described the strike as part of ongoing security cooperation with the US, involving intelligence sharing and strategic coordination to target militant groups.

The strike comes after Trump’s warnings in October and November that Christianity faces an “existential threat” in Nigeria, leading to the country being designated as a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act. However, Nigeria’s government disputes US claims of systematic Christian persecution, stating that armed groups target both Muslims and Christians.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth thanked the Nigerian government for its support and cooperation, hinting at more strikes to come. The US has been conducting intelligence-gathering flights over Nigeria since late November.