A United States congressman, Riley Moore, has defended President Donald Trump’s recent airstrikes in Nigeria, saying the operation was intended to bring peace and security, not war, to the country.
Rep. Moore, in a post on X on Monday, said the strikes against ISIS on Christmas Day were aimed at protecting thousands of Christians facing severe violence and threats to their lives. He added that the joint operation has given hope to Christians in Nigeria.
“President Trump is not trying to bring war to Nigeria; he’s bringing peace and security to Nigeria and to the thousands of Christians who face horrific violence and death. The strikes against ISIS on Christmas, in coordination with the Nigerian government, have given hope to the Christians in Nigeria,” Moore said.
The US military operation, announced by Trump on Truth Social, involved precision strikes on ISIS camps in Sokoto State, reportedly resulting in multiple terrorist casualties, according to US Africa Command. The Nigerian federal government confirmed the joint effort, describing it as part of ongoing counterterrorism cooperation.
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Critics, however, raised concerns that the strikes could threaten Nigerian sovereignty and endanger civilian lives. Moore countered these criticisms, arguing that the action was necessary to halt attacks on Christians, noting that Trump had previously warned about the “slaughter” of Christians.
The airstrikes follow Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over religious violence and the alleged persecution of Christians in the country.