United States President Donald Trump has revealed that the Christmas Day airstrikes carried out against Islamic State (ISIS) fighters in Sokoto State were conducted in close coordination with the Nigerian government.
Trump disclosed on Thursday while speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., saying the operation was aimed at crippling ISIS militants responsible for the killing of Christians in Nigeria.
According to him, the decision to strike on Christmas Day was deliberate.
“On Christmas Day, in close coordination with the government of Nigeria, we ordered powerful airstrikes to decimate the ISIS terrorists who have been slaughtering Christians in that country by the thousands,” Trump said.
He added that the timing of the operation was symbolic, stressing that he personally instructed that the strikes should take place on December 25.
“We were going to do it on a different day. I said no, do it on Christmas so they understand it. I specifically told Pete, hit them on Christmas Day, not earlier and not later,” he said.
Trump claimed the strikes dealt a severe blow to the militants, adding that further attacks were carried out afterward.
“They were hit so hard they didn’t know what happened. And we hit them again recently, pretty hard,” he said.
On December 26, Trump had announced that U.S. forces carried out “powerful and deadly” airstrikes against ISIS targets in northwestern Nigeria, warning the group to stop killing Christians in the country.
The U.S. Department of Defense later confirmed that multiple ISIS fighters were killed in the operation, which it said was carried out at the request of Nigerian authorities.
The event was attended by political, religious, and civic leaders from around the world, including Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
During his remarks, Trump praised Mrs Tinubu, describing her as a “very respected woman” and acknowledging her role as a pastor in one of Nigeria’s largest churches.
“We are honoured to be joined by the First Lady of Nigeria, who also serves as a Christian pastor — a very respected person,” he said, drawing applause from the audience.
The National Prayer Breakfast is an annual gathering held every February, bringing together U.S. lawmakers, faith leaders, and international guests for prayers and reflections on leadership and national values.
