Trump Directive Triggered Anti-ISIS Strikes in Nigeria – Hegseth

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has disclosed that President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to prioritise the protection of Christians in Nigeria targeted by ISIS-linked groups. Speaking at a White House press conference, Hegseth said the directive was issued about a year ago after Trump learned of attacks against Christians in Nigeria.

The operation involved deployment of military assets and intelligence gathering, which led to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, ISIS’s second-in-command, during a joint US-Nigerian operation in the Lake Chad Basin. Hegseth said hundreds of ISIS fighters have been eliminated.

Key Points:

The directive shows the Trump administration’s focus on religious freedom as a national security priority.
Intelligence from the operation contributed to the death of al-Minuki, a high-value target responsible for attacks on Christians and threats to the US homeland.
The joint US-Nigeria military cooperation has been significantly deepened under this directive.
Hundreds of ISIS fighters have been killed in the operation, degrading the group’s capacity in West Africa.
The disclosure highlights a shift in US counterterrorism strategy toward protecting specific vulnerable religious groups.

The US and Nigeria are expected to continue joint counterterrorism operations. The protection of Christian communities in Nigeria remains a stated priority of the Trump administration.

Sources: The PUNCH