In a significant military action on Christmas night, the United States conducted airstrikes in northwest Nigeria, targeting ISIS militants. President Donald Trump announced the operation, attributing it to the group’s alleged attacks on Christians. He described the strikes as decisive, indicating that further actions might follow if the violence persists.

“At my direction, as Commander in Chief, the United States carried out a powerful and lethal strike against ISIS terrorists in Northwest Nigeria,” Trump declared on Thursday via Truth Social. “These militants have been relentlessly targeting and killing innocent Christians in numbers not seen in many years, even centuries!”

Trump emphasized his previous warnings to the terrorists, stating, “I had cautioned them about the consequences of their actions against Christians. Tonight, they faced those consequences. The Department of War executed several precise strikes, showcasing the unmatched capabilities of the United States.”

He further asserted, “Under my leadership, our nation will not permit Radical Islamic Terrorism to thrive. May God bless our military, and Merry Christmas to all, including the deceased terrorists. More will follow if they continue their attacks on Christians.”

An image captured a newspaper vendor holding a paper featuring Trump’s message to Nigeria regarding the treatment of Christians. This scene unfolded at a newspaper stand in Ojuelegba, Lagos, Nigeria, on November 2, 2025. (Reuters/Sodiq Adelakun)

The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the airstrikes through a post on their X platform on Thursday night.

“At the direction of the President of the United States and the Secretary of War, and in coordination with Nigerian authorities, U.S. Africa Command conducted strikes against ISIS terrorists in Nigeria on Dec. 25, 2025, in Sokoto State,” the post read.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz also weighed in after learning about the strikes on ISIS forces in Nigeria.

“Merry Christmas to the Christians in Nigeria and around the world who know tonight that the President of the United States will fight for them,” he said in a post on X.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said Thursday, “I commend President Trump, Secretary Hegseth, and our brave troops for these strikes against bloodthirsty ISIS savages who are not only persecuting Christians, but also have killed many Americans.”

Last month, Trump threatened to “do things in Nigeria that Nigeria is not going to be happy about” and “go into that now disgraced country guns-a-blazing.”

A drone view of Christians departing St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church after Sunday mass in Palmgrove, Lagos, Nigeria, Nov. 2, 2025.  (Reuters/Sodiq Adelakun)

That warning set the stage for the Christmas-night strikes, which Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said fulfilled the president’s demand that the killings stop.

“The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end,” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on X. “The @DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. More to come…

“Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation,” he added. “Merry Christmas!”

Then, nearly a month later, the Trump administration rolled out a new visa-restriction policy in response to a wave of brutal anti-Christian attacks in Nigeria, targeting those accused of orchestrating religious violence against Christians in the West African nation and around the world.

President Donald Trump announced attacks against terrorists in Nigeria, killing Christians.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the policy in the Immigration and Nationality Act will allow the State Department to deny visas to those “who have directed, authorized, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom.” 

Immediate family members may also face visa restrictions in some cases.

“The United States is taking decisive action in response to the mass killings and violence against Christians by radical Islamic terrorists, Fulani ethnic militias, and other violent actors in Nigeria and beyond,” Rubio said in the statement.

The move followed a surge of attacks on Christians and Christian institutions in Nigeria. Last month, gunmen stormed the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, killing two people and kidnapping dozens. The 38 abducted worshipers were freed nearly a week later.

Days later, armed attackers raided St. Mary’s School in Niger State, abducting more than 300 students and staff. School officials said 50 students aged 10 to 18 escaped in the following days, but 253 students and 12 teachers remain captive.

The violence prompted Trump to designate Nigeria a “country of particular concern,” though the Nigerian government disputes the U.S. assessment.

“I’m really angry about it,” the president told Fox News Radio last month. “What’s happening in Nigeria is a disgrace.”

Echoing Trump’s warning, Rubio said earlier this month, “As President Trump made clear, the ‘United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and numerous other countries.’”