Terrorists are reportedly “on the run” in Nigeria following a recent U.S. military operation aimed at addressing the serious violence against Christians in the country, as noted by a senior official from U.S. Africa Command who visited Nigeria this week.
According to the persecution watchdog group Open Doors, Nigeria accounts for three-quarters of all Christians killed for their faith globally, with alarming statistics showing that about one Christian is murdered every two and a half hours.
During a statement in Davos, Switzerland, President Trump affirmed, “We are destroying terrorists who are killing Christians in Nigeria. We’ve hit them hard, and they’ve caused the deaths of thousands of Christians.”
Experts have indicated that jihadist herders have been systematically targeting Christians in Nigeria, particularly as part of a kidnapping campaign.
Recently, Lt. Gen. John Brennan, who is the deputy commander of U.S. Africa Command, visited Nigeria to discuss ongoing efforts to enhance security and protect vulnerable communities. In an exclusive conversation with Fox News Digital, he elaborated on the support the U.S. is providing on the ground, including intelligence and surveillance capabilities to help Nigerian forces improve their efficacy after the U.S. operation.
Brennan observed that many terrorists have been forced to flee due to the increased pressure. “They now know they can be targeted and are beginning to feel the heat,” he stated, underlining the shift in dynamics.
Ilia Jadi, a persecution analyst at Open Doors, expressed optimism regarding the impact of U.S. operations, noting that armed groups were indeed feeling threatened and were fleeing to neighboring countries like Niger and Mali.
He added that the repercussions of these military actions are prompting other nations to take note, as the instability could extend beyond Nigeria’s borders.
In a subsequent meeting in Abuja attended by U.S. and Nigerian officials, discussions focused on cooperative strategies to deter violence against Christian communities and to enhance accountability for attacks. Notably, this meeting occurred just days after more than 160 worshippers were kidnapped from churches in Kaduna state.
President Trump, in a recent interview, warned that further attacks could occur if violence against Christians continues. U.S. officials indicated a need for greater collaboration, with Nigerian partners expressing a desire for more U.S. support.
Brennan confirmed a limited American military presence on the ground, as they assess the situation and gather information on how to strategically engage in this ongoing crisis.
The U.S. is also supplying military equipment to Nigeria, which officials believe will enhance operations against groups like ISIS and Boko Haram significantly. Nigerian representatives emphasized that their collaboration with the U.S. is based on mutual respect and shared goals rather than a simple patron-client relationship.
