According to Reuters, the strike was confirmed on Thursday by both U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. military. Trump said the operation targeted ISIS militants he accused of attacking Christian communities in the region, framing the action as a decisive response to what he has described as an escalating threat to Christianity in Nigeria. Reuters previously reported that the United States had been conducting intelligence-gathering flights over large parts of Nigeria since late November, suggesting preparations for possible military action. Still, it has agreed to deepen cooperation with the United States to strengthen its fight against militant groups. Trump announced the strike on Christmas Day while spending the holiday at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

Source: The Guardian December 26, 2025 03:37 UTC