Overview
- President Trump disclosed the action on Dec. 25 via social media, describing a powerful, lethal strike on IS-affiliated fighters.
- U.S. Africa Command stated that the strike was conducted at the request of Nigerian authorities and reported multiple militant fatalities.
- The president framed the move as a response to killings of Christian civilians attributed to Islamist extremists in Nigeria.
- The announcement follows the administration’s recent re-designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over religious-freedom abuses.
- Independent verification, detailed operational accounts, and broader Nigerian government or local reactions were not available in initial reports.