U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that American troops had carried out what he called a “strong and deadly” attack on Islamic State militants in Nigeria, coming weeks after he sharply criticised the Nigerian government over the treatment of Christians.
Posting on Christmas evening via his social media account, Trump did not release operational specifics. He gave no details on the extent of the strike, the locations hit, or how many fighters were affected.
A U.S. Department of Defense official, who spoke anonymously because the information has not been formally released, confirmed that the strikes were carried out in cooperation with Nigerian authorities. The official said the operation received approval from Abuja, highlighting continued security collaboration between the United States and Nigeria in confronting extremist groups in West Africa.
Islamic State-linked groups have remained active in parts of northern and northeastern Nigeria, regions that have endured years of instability driven by insurgency, sectarian violence, and militant attacks.
