The United States Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has issued a statement of gratitude to the Federal Government of Nigeria for its support during a military operation conducted on Thursday, December 25, in Nigeria.
The operation, which was precise, targeted Islamic State (ISIS) and other extremist factions in the North-West region, particularly in Sokoto State.
The strikes come just weeks after President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), due to the alleged threat faced by Christian communities.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Friday that the strikes were not unilateral but were of structured security cooperation.
According to reports, over 10,000 Nigerians are killed in extremist violence and approximately 3.2 million people are currently internally displaced (IDPs).
Reports show that an average of 35 Christians are killed daily in the first seven months of 2025, according to international monitors.
Over 12 Tomahawk missiles were reportedly launched from a US Navy warship in the Gulf of Guinea targeting two specific ISIS camps.
Secretary Hegseth warned that the Christmas Day strikes were only the beginning, stating, the Department of War is always ready and that more airstrikes are still to come.
The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria must end. The Department of War is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight – Pete Hegseth, US Secretary of War
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has been a central figure in these negotiations, leading the Nigerian delegation to Washington to ensure the “guns-a-blazing” intervention threatened by Trump remains a coordinated partnership.
Leave a comment