A United States senator, Tom Cotton, has praised former President Donald Trump following US-led airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) fighters operating in north-west Nigeria.
Trump announced that the strikes were carried out on Christmas Day, saying they targeted ISIS militants accused of killing civilians, particularly Christians, in the region. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that the military action was launched under his direct authority as Commander-in-Chief.
According to him, the operation focused on ISIS elements responsible for violent attacks and the persecution of innocent people in north-west Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs later confirmed the country’s security cooperation with the United States intelligence community. In a press release signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the government said the airstrikes were precise and aimed at terrorist hideouts. However, officials did not disclose the number of militants killed.
The Nigerian government reiterated its stance that violent extremists would no longer find safe haven in any part of the country, stressing that terrorism remains a direct threat to national values and security.
Reacting to the development, Senator Cotton took to X (formerly Twitter) to commend Trump and US defence officials. He said the targeted militants were responsible not only for persecuting Christians but also for the deaths of several Americans.
“I commend President Trump, Secretary Hegseth, and our brave troops for these strikes against bloodthirsty ISIS savages who are not only persecuting Christians, but also have killed many Americans,” Cotton wrote.
