The United States has launched a fusillade of air strikes on ISIS terrorists in the north-western Nigerian state of Sokoto.
The ISIS affiliate in Nigeria is called the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) — which operates primarily in the north-east and Lake Chad basin.
In a Truth Social post, US President Donald Trump said the strikes were “powerful and deadly”.
The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) stated in a post on X that the strike was at “the request of Nigerian authorities”.
“Lethal strikes against ISIS demonstrate the strength of our military and our commitment to eliminating terrorist threats against Americans at home and abroad,” AFRICOM said.
In November, Trump had threatened to go into Nigeria “guns-a-blazing to wipe out the terrorists killing our cherished Christians”, after some US politicians repeatedly claimed that there was a genocide against Christians in the West African nation.
Announcing the air raid, the US president said: “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!
“I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was.
“The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing. Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper.
“May God Bless our Military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.”
In a statement signed by Kimiebi Ebienfa, its spokesperson, Nigeria’s ministry of foreign affairs said the “precision hits” was in keeping with “structured security cooperation with international partners”.
“Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism,” the statement reads.
“This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.
“In line with established international practice and bilateral understandings, this cooperation includes the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and shared commitments to regional and global security.
“Nigeria reiterates that all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity.”
The federal government added that it will continue to work with international partners to bolster security at home.
“Terrorist violence in any form whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security,” the statement added.
“The Federal Government continues to work closely with its partners through established diplomatic and security channels to weaken terrorist networks, disrupt their financing and logistics, and prevent cross-border threats, while strengthening Nigeria’s own security institutions and intelligence capabilities.”
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