Trump confirms US-Nigeria collaboration in Christmas day air strikes on ISIS in Sokoto
US President Donald Trump has confirmed that the United States worked closely with the Nigerian government to carry out air strikes on ISIS targets in Sokoto on Christmas Day.
Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Trump said the strikes were aimed at “decimating the ISIS terrorists who have been slaughtering Christians in that country by the thousands.” He emphasized the timing of the operation, explaining that he personally directed it to take place on December 25.
“I specifically told Pete, I said hit them on Christmas Day, not earlier and not later. And man, did he hit them. So then we hit them again recently. We hit them again pretty hard,” Trump said.
According to the US Department of Defense, the attacks were carried out at the request of Nigerian authorities and resulted in the deaths of “multiple ISIS terrorists.” Trump had previously announced on December 26 that “powerful and deadly” strikes had been launched against Islamic State militants in northwestern Nigeria after warning the group to stop targeting Christians.
The National Prayer Breakfast, an annual event attended by political and religious leaders worldwide, was also attended by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. During his address, Trump praised Mrs. Tinubu, calling her a “very respected woman” and acknowledging her role as a Christian pastor in one of Nigeria’s largest churches.
