1:14President Donald Trump, accompanied by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (R), conducts a Cabinet Meeting in the Cabinet Room at the White House in Washington, December 2, 2025. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
In a post on his social media platform on Thursday, President Donald Trump announced that he initiated a "powerful and deadly strike" against ISIS militants in Nigeria, whom he accused of "targeting and brutally murdering, primarily, innocent Christians."
This follows a video the president shared in early November in which he threatened to enter Nigeria "guns-a-blazing." During that period, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated Trump's message, stating in a post on X that the Department of Defense was "preparing for action."
"I have previously cautioned these Terrorists that if they did not cease the slaughter of Christians, there would be severe consequences, and tonight, there were. The Department of War executed multiple precise strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing," Trump included in the post.
The results of that strike and the specific target remain unclear. ABC News has reached out to the White House for further details.
In a post on X, Hegseth additionally mentioned that there will be "more to come" and expressed his appreciation to the Nigerian government for its backing and collaboration.
"The President was explicit last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must cease.
"The @DeptofWar is always on standby, as ISIS discovered tonight — on Christmas."
Hegseth concluded his post with, "Merry Christmas!"
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com