Prior to missile attack, Trump increased monitoring violent anti-Christian operations in Nigeria

Before President Trump authorized air strikes Thursday on ISIS camps in Nigeria that he called a "Christmas present" to the terror group, the U.S. had ramped up intelligence-gathering operations in Nigeria. 

On social media, Trump said on Christmas that "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!"

"I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was. The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing. 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," he added.

Surveillance since at least November

The increased intelligence gathering and monitoring followed Trump’s calls to address the ongoing persecution of Christians and combat the spread of terrorism in the region. According to a report by Reuters, surveillance flights have been conducted since late November, with aircraft operated by Mississippi-based contractor Tenax Aerospace flying missions from Ghana over Nigeria.

The issue of anti-Christian violence has brought many unlikely allies to the Trump policy, including all-time best-selling rap artist Nicki Minaj.

The Daily Caller reported that the operations aim to monitor terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, ISIS of West Africa, and the Fulani ethnic militia, which have been linked to violent attacks on Christians and moderate Muslims in Nigeria’s northern regions. A former U.S. official revealed that the missions also include efforts to locate a U.S. pilot kidnapped in Niger while working with a missionary agency.

Flight data analyzed by Liam Karr, Africa team leader for the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, suggests that the surveillance operations are being conducted from an airport in Accra, Ghana. This location would act as a logical key hub for the U.S. military’s logistics network in Africa. Karr noted that the recent increase in intelligence flights could signal a renewed U.S. focus on the region, particularly after Niger replaced U.S. troops at its air base with Russian forces in 2024.

Nigeria designated as “Country of Concern” regarding religious persecution

The Trump administration has long been vocal about its concerns regarding religious violence in Nigeria. In October, Fox News reported that Trump designated Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" due to the widespread killing of Christians by Islamic extremists. He later demanded that Nigeria’s government take action against the violence or face potential U.S. intervention. Trump reportedly instructed the Department of War to prepare for action, stating that the U.S. might intervene to eliminate the terrorist groups responsible for the atrocities.

In early November, Congressman Riley M. Moore, R-W.V., introduced a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives condemning the ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria and supporting President Donald J. Trump’s announcement to officially designate Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern." 

Moore’s office says, “This bold decision is a clear message to the world that the United States will never turn a blind eye to our brothers and sisters in Christ who are being martyred for their faith.”

Staggering number of Christian victims

The resolution draws attention to the widespread persecution Christians face across Nigeria. As many as 50,000–100,000 Christians have been murdered since 2009, according to various sources, including Rep. Moore’s office. At least 7,000 Christians have been killed this year alone – an average of 35 deaths every day. 19,000 churches have been destroyed according to data from Open Doors, an Ireland-based charity that monitors anti-Christian persecution.

According to the charity, Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have “explicitly and repeatedly declared Christians as targets. And many victims have told us that when Fulani militants attack, they don’t just shout ‘Allahu Akbar’” – they also yell, “We will destroy all Christians.”

Al-Jazeera reported that Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, said the U.S. attack was coordinated with the Nigerian government, but at this time no casualty figures of the radical Islamic fighters have been made available.

Widespread support in the Legislature

Moore’s message of support has been lauded by more than a dozen of his fellow legislators, including Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., who said, “The ongoing violence against Christians in Nigeria is one of the most egregious violations of human rights and religious freedom so far this century.”

Rep. Barry Moore, R-Ala., went as far as to say: “The slaughter of Christians in Nigeria is one of the largest human rights crises happening in our world today. Families are being torn apart and churches burned simply because of their faith. I’m proud to stand with President Trump and Rep. Riley Moore as we continue to confront violence and discrimination at the hands of Islamic terror groups in Nigeria. Faith is not a crime, it’s the cornerstone of freedom, and we must defend it wherever it’s under attack.”