The editorial board of a major newspaper has applauded President Trump for his recent aggressive actions against ISIS terrorists in Nigeria.
In a Saturday opinion piece, the publication argued that Trump’s approach to combating terrorism represents “justice” and suggested that the U.S. “can do more.”
“This is a significant shift in a part of the world that has typically been neglected by the president,” the board noted, questioning whether this will be a one-time move or signal a more regular and coherent foreign policy. They commented on the Nigerian government’s struggles to ensure security, saying, “It’s promising that Abuja is open to collaborating closely with Washington to halt the violence. Continuing that engagement would be wise for Mr. Trump.”
On Christmas Eve, reports indicated that many in Abuja were hesitant to travel to see family for holiday celebrations due to fears of jihadi attacks along the routes.
The next day, on Christmas, Trump announced he had ordered a “strong and deadly strike” against terrorists in northwestern Nigeria.
“Tonight, at my command as Commander-in-Chief, we launched a significant offensive against the remaining ISIS terrorists in northwestern Nigeria. ISIS is chiefly targeting innocent Christians, committing brutal killings at levels not seen in ages!” he expressed in a social media post.
According to reports, these strikes followed weeks of rising concerns about targeted violence against Christians in Nigeria, which experts have described as genocidal. It has been noted that militant groups like Boko Haram and Fulani jihadists have been carrying out coordinated attacks across the region for over ten years, systematically aiming to eradicate Christian communities. Such violence is often heightened during Christian holidays, including Christmas.
Furthermore, there have been reports suggesting many Nigerians believe jihadists aim to wipe out Christianity entirely.
Additionally, reports surfaced about deadly mosque bombings occurring in both Syria and Nigeria, resulting in numerous casualties. These attacks were strategically timed to coincide with prayer times to maximize devastation.
