Trump Issues Warning to Terror Groups Following Nigeria Airstrikes
President Donald Trump reaffirmed his hardline stance against extremist violence, stating that the United States will not allow radical Islamic terrorism to gain ground under his leadership. He praised the U.S. military for the operation and issued a strong warning that further action would follow if attacks against Christian communities persist.
Trump closed his message by thanking American service members and extending Christmas greetings, while emphasizing that the fight against terrorism would continue. The president spent the Christmas holiday at his Palm Beach estate.
Nigeria Confirms Cooperation With the United States
Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that it worked alongside the United States in conducting airstrikes against terrorist targets, underscoring the country’s commitment to protecting all citizens regardless of religion or ethnic background.
Daniel Bwala, a special adviser to President Bola Tinubu, said both nations are aligned in their counterterrorism efforts, stressing that the United States and Nigeria share a unified strategy in confronting extremist threats.
U.S. Defense Officials Praise Bilateral Coordination
The U.S. Department of Defense acknowledged Nigeria’s cooperation in the operation. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly expressed appreciation for the Nigerian government’s support, highlighting the importance of international partnerships in counterterrorism missions.
The White House has not yet issued additional comments regarding the strikes.
Trump Highlights Persecution of Christians in Nigeria
In recent months, Trump has repeatedly drawn attention to violence targeting Christians in Nigeria. In November, he directed the Department of Defense to prepare potential responses and warned that the United States would take decisive action if attacks continued.
Trump has argued that religious freedom is under serious threat in Africa’s most populous nation, asserting that the U.S. has a responsibility to respond to large-scale persecution.
Nigerian Leadership Calls for Unity and Religious Freedom
On Christmas Eve, President Tinubu delivered a national goodwill message, extending holiday wishes to Christians in Nigeria and around the world. He called for peace and coexistence among people of different faiths and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting Christians, Muslims, and all Nigerians from violence.
Nigeria continues to face longstanding security challenges fueled by multiple factors, including extremist violence, ethnic and communal conflicts, and disputes between farmers and herders over scarce resources.
Religious Freedom Concerns Draw International Attention
Earlier this year, Trump accused Nigeria of failing to adequately address religious freedom violations and designated the country as a “Country of Particular Concern” under U.S. law. The designation signals findings of persistent and serious violations of religious liberty.
Security analysts note that both Christian and Muslim communities have suffered attacks from extremist groups, emphasizing that terrorism remains a national security issue affecting the entire population of more than 230 million people.
The situation has drawn increasing attention from American conservatives, including senior lawmakers who have urged stronger U.S. involvement, arguing Nigeria’s government has struggled to contain violence against religious minorities.