The president made the announcement through his social network, where he stated that U.S. forces attacked ISIS militants in the northwest of the African country, accusing them of carrying out attacks and killings against Christian communities. Trump did not provide specific details on how the military operation unfolded, the objectives achieved, or the casualty toll, and the White House did not provide further information.
"Under my command as commander in chief, the United States launched precise and lethal attacks against the terrorist scum of ISIS," the president wrote in a message posted on Christmas Day.
The announcement comes after weeks of statements in which Trump denounced the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. Last month, the president confirmed that he had ordered the Pentagon to plan possible military actions in the country. Additionally, the State Department recently announced visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens and family members involved in killings and sectarian violence.
The United States has also designated Nigeria as a "country of particular concern" under the International Religious Freedom Act. "Our country will not allow radical Islamic terrorism to thrive," Trump concluded.