Public reaction to President Trump’s ordered airstrikes in Nigeria has been overwhelming, with many commentators, particularly within the Black community, believing that the “religious crusade” rhetoric is inflammatory and un-Christian-like.
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“DROPPING BOMBS ON NIGERIA ON CHRISTMAS DAY IS ONE OF THE MOST EVIL AND UNCHRISTIAN-LIKE THINGS I HAVE EVER SEEN OR HEARD OF,” social media commentator Dr. Clark wrote on Threads.
Author and Podcaster Demetria Lucas also wrote, “I knew he was gonna do some dumb ish on Christmas. I expected a flood of posts cursing out half of America. Bombing Nigeria was not on the list.”
While some celebrity influencers have spoken out about the missile strikes, Nigerians have been speaking out as well.
Social media influencer Luvvie took to her Threads to share her devastation, “The attack on Nigeria is planned out and comprehensive cuz now Nigerians can’t get visas, or their permanent resident and citizenship applications processed. This is all devastating on so many levels.”
Comments continue to pour in all over social with one X user calling the missile strike a “good move.”
One X user shut down a commentator for spreading propaganda, saying:
However, some take opposing views, arguing that this was a positive step toward making Nigeria safer.
One Nigerian X user posted:
“Thank you Trump and The US Army For The Airstrike,” an X user wrote. “This is good news this Christmas. At least we, the Nigerian soldiers, can get some rest from the hands of these terrorists. God bless America.”
The Christmas holiday concluded with a major military escalation as President Trump announced on Thursday (Dec. 25) that he had ordered a series of ‘powerful and deadly’ airstrikes in Nigeria.
The Trump administration had previously accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians from jihadist attacks, even labeling the violence a genocide. Following months of numerous warnings, Trump took to Truth Social, confirming the operation: “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!”
The strikes followed the President’s earlier ultimatums to ISIS-affiliated groups in the Northwest Nigeria, whom he warned that there would be “hell to pay” if violence did not cease against Christians.
In his post, Trump confirmed the mission as a success, citing that the U.S. launched ‘numerous, perfect airstrikes’ during the operation.
“Under my leadership, our country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper. May God bless our military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.”
According to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), the deadly Christmas Day strike targeted terrorist cells in Sokoto State, located along Nigeria’s border with Niger. An “initial assessment” suggested multiple fatalities among the militants. Shortly after the announcement, the Department of War released unclassified footage showing a Tomahawk missile being launched from the deck of a U.S. Navy vessel in the Gulf of Guinea.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth took to his X account to speak about the military strike. Hegseth posted: “The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end. The Department of War is always ready, , so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. More to come.”
He sent gratitude to the Nigerian government for their cooperation.
Despite the President’s religious reasoning for the mission, reports indicate that the operation was a joint effort. The New York Post confirmed that the Department of War worked directly with Nigeria’s national capital, with an official stating, “These strikes were approved by the government of Nigeria.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in an official statement, noted that the strikes were part of ongoing security cooperation with the U.S. government, which included the exchange of intelligence and strategic coordination to take out militant groups.
So far, no official statement has been issued by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu regarding the strikes or President Trump’s “genocide.”
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