President Donald Trump has stated that the US conducted a 'powerful and deadly strike' against the Islamic State (IS) group in north-western Nigeria. He condemned the group, describing them as 'terrorist scum' that primarily targets innocent Christians.
The strikes reportedly took place in Sokoto state and were conducted in coordination with Nigerian forces, according to US Africa Command (Africom). Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar confirmed the operation, emphasizing it was aimed at terrorists and not linked to any specific religion.
Tuggar indicated that there may be further military actions pending decisions by the leaders of both nations. Trump reiterated his commitment to preventing the proliferation of 'Radical Islamic Terrorism' under his leadership.
In the context of this operation, Trump has declared Nigeria a 'Country of Particular Concern' regarding threats faced by its Christian population, claiming thousands have been killed, although these assertions have been contested by various groups monitoring violence in the region. Many reports suggest that both Christians and Muslims in Nigeria face violence, particularly from jihadist factions such as Boko Haram, with civilians of various faiths suffering at the hands of the ongoing conflict.
The US Department of Defense also released a video showing a missile launch, indicating a serious escalation in military engagement in Nigeria.
As violence continues to plague the region, Nigerian authorities have emphasized the importance of international cooperation in defeating terrorism while maintaining the country’s sovereignty. President Bola Tinubu affirmed a commitment to protect all communities in Nigeria, irrespective of religious affiliation.
