Trump Says US Forces Targeted ISIS Fighters Killing Christians In Nigeria

United States President Donald Trump has directed American military forces to intensify operations against ISIS-linked terrorists responsible for attacks on Christians in Nigeria, according to US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

Hegseth disclosed this during a press briefing at the White House on Wednesday alongside President Trump.

According to the US official, Trump became deeply concerned about the wave of attacks targeting Christian communities in Nigeria and ordered the American military to prioritise operations against extremist groups operating in the region.

“Maybe a year ago, he heard the call of Nigerian Christians who were being targeted and killed by ISIS in Nigeria, and he said, ‘Pete, I want the War Department to focus on ensuring that we do everything we can to protect those Christians,’” Hegseth stated.

The US Secretary of War revealed that following Trump’s directive, American forces mobilised intelligence and military assets into the region, leading to the elimination of Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, described as ISIS’s second-in-command in Nigeria. “And we got the assets there, and over the last month, and there hasn’t been much coverage of this, we killed ISIS number two in Nigeria, who’s most responsible for killing Christians and trying to target the US homeland,” Hegseth added.

Earlier in May, US forces working alongside the Nigerian military reportedly carried out coordinated airstrikes that killed Al-Minuki in Nigeria’s North-East.

The slain terrorist commander, aged 44, was said to be a native of Mainok in Benisheikh area of Borno State, a region that has remained at the centre of insurgency for years.

United States authorities had previously designated Al-Minuki as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist on June 8, 2023.

Security sources linked him to multiple attacks on civilians, military personnel and Christian communities across parts of Northern Nigeria. The operation against Al-Minuki came months after American forces reportedly conducted separate strikes on terrorist camps in Sokoto State in December 2025.

 The renewed US military involvement follows increasing international attention on allegations of religiously motivated killings and extremist violence in Nigeria. The issue gained wider global attention after the Trump administration designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over religious freedom violations last year.

The designation triggered diplomatic reactions and intensified pressure on Nigerian authorities to strengthen efforts against terrorism, kidnappings and sectarian violence.

American officials insist the operations are aimed at weakening ISIS-linked networks threatening both regional stability and broader international security interests.

The latest development is expected to further deepen security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in the ongoing fight against terrorism and violent extremism.