The President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced on Thursday that the American armed forces have struck against the units of the Islamic State (IS) jihadist organization in northwestern Nigeria. The head of the White House has promised more attacks if militants continue to attack Christians in the country. TASR informs about it according to AP and AFP agencies.
“Tonight at my direction… the United States conducted a powerful and deadly attack in northwestern Nigeria against IS terrorist criminals who targeted and brutally killed primarily innocent Christians on a scale not seen in many years,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social social network.
“The Department of Defense has delivered a number of perfect strikes, as only the United States can do. Under my leadership, our country will not allow radical Islamic terrorism to thrive,” the US president added.
No details about the attack
The White House did not provide any further details about the attack. However, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised his department on Platform X, adding that he was “grateful for the support and cooperation from the Nigerian government”.
Last month, Trump ordered the US Department of Defense to begin planning a potential military operation in Nigeria in response to reports of persecution of Christians there, AP explains.
Visa restriction for Nigerians
The Department of Foreign Affairs subsequently announced that it would restrict visas for Nigerians and their family members involved in mass killings and violence against Christians in the West African country.
The AP adds that the United States recently designated Nigeria a “country of special concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act.
Nigeria confirmed the attack
Nigeria’s foreign ministry confirmed early on Friday that the United States had struck “terrorist targets” in the northwestern part of the country after US President Donald Trump announced an operation against militants from the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group. The AFP agency drew attention to it, writes TASR.
“Nigerian authorities continue to work with international partners, including the United States, on security and to address the ongoing threat of terrorism and violent extremism,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said in an official statement.
“This led to (US) precision strikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria through airstrikes,” the ministry added.
Nigeria’s statement came shortly after Trump announced on the Truth Social platform that the US armed forces had struck against IS forces in the northwestern part of the African country. At the same time, the head of the White House promised further attacks if the militants continue to attack Christians there.
