The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) launched a strike against Islamic State terrorists in Nigeria, US President Donald Trump announced on social media early on Friday.
AFRICOM stated that the strike in Sokoto was carried out "in coordination with Nigerian authorities" and killed multiple terrorists.
The strike was ordered due to "the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism," the Nigerian Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement.
"The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing," Trump said, adding that he wishes a "MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues."
The Defense Department additionally published declassified footage of at least one projectile launched from a warship.
Following the strike, the Nigerian Foreign Ministry stated that they would continue to work with the US and international partners to "weaken terrorist networks, disrupt their financing and logistics, and prevent cross-border threats."
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, in a Christmas statement released on Wednesday, affirmed that he is "committed to doing everything within [his] power to enshrine religious freedom in Nigeria and to protect Christians, Muslims, and all Nigerians from violence."
"No one, regardless of ethnicity or belief, should be made to suffer for professing or practicing his faith," Tinubu added.
Islamic State terrorists carry out several mass kidnappings, church attacks in Nigeria
Islamic State attacks on Christian Nigerians, including mass kidnappings and attacks on churches, have risen in recent months.
On December 17, an attack on a church in Kogi, Nigeria, resulted in at least 13 worshippers being abducted by gunmen, according to state officials.
On November 21, over 300 schoolchildren were abducted from a Catholic school by terrorists, according to Tinubu's spokesperson.
As of Monday, all of the children had been released, with 130 of them having been held in captivity for nearly a month.
In early November, Nigeria said it was open to US help in combating the rise of violent Islamic State terrorism.
"We welcome US assistance as long as it recognizes our territorial integrity," Daniel Bwala, an adviser to Tinubu, told Reuters, adding that were the Nigerian and US presidents to meet, "there would be better outcomes in our joint resolve to fight terrorism."