A United States congressman, Riley Moore, has said recent American military airstrikes carried out in Nigeria helped prevent deadly attacks during the 2025 Christmas season. He said the action marked a sharp difference from previous years when violent attacks occurred during the festive period, especially in Christian communities.
Moore made the statement on Saturday in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. In his message, the US lawmaker said Christians had been killed in Nigeria during the last two Christmas seasons but claimed that this year was different because US forces targeted terrorist groups instead.
“For the past two Christmases, Christians have been murdered in Nigeria,” Moore wrote. “This year, thanks to @POTUS, radical Islamic terrorists were on the receiving end of 12 Tomahawk missiles.”
The congressman added that the airstrikes were carried out against fighters linked to the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS, and that the operation was done in coordination with the Nigerian government. According to him, the military action was an important step toward improving security in Nigeria.
“These strikes represent the first step to securing the country and ending the slaughter of our brothers and sisters in Christ,” Moore said.
Moore’s comments followed an earlier announcement by United States President Donald Trump, who confirmed that American forces had launched airstrikes against Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria. Trump made the announcement on Thursday through his Truth Social platform.
According to Trump, the US military carried out what he described as “numerous perfect strikes” against terrorist hideouts. He warned that more military action would follow if the militants continued attacks, particularly against Christian communities.
“The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes,” Trump wrote, adding that the United States would not hesitate to act again if terrorists continued to threaten lives.
The Federal Government of Nigeria confirmed the airstrikes on Friday. Nigerian authorities said the operation was conducted with the country’s full cooperation and approval. The government stressed that the action did not violate Nigeria’s sovereignty and was based on shared intelligence between both countries.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, explained that the airstrikes were part of a broader effort to tackle terrorism and insecurity. He said the operation was not aimed at any religion but at armed groups responsible for violence and instability.
Security challenges have remained a major concern in Nigeria for more than a decade. Different parts of the country have been affected by various forms of violence, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and communal clashes in the Middle Belt.
In recent years, attacks during religious festivals have drawn national and international attention. Christmas, in particular, has often been a period of fear for many communities due to past violent incidents.
On Christmas Eve in 2023, at least 140 people were reported killed in Plateau State after gunmen attacked several remote communities. The attackers targeted villages during the night, burning homes and killing residents, many of whom were celebrating the holiday.
The attacks shocked the nation and drew condemnation from local and international leaders. Many described the incident as one of the deadliest Christmas-related attacks in recent Nigerian history.
In 2024, another tragedy occurred on Christmas Day in Benue State. Armed herdsmen reportedly attacked five predominantly Christian villages, killing no fewer than 33 people. The victims included women and children, and several houses were destroyed during the raids.
These repeated attacks created fear and tension during festive periods, especially among rural communities. Many residents in affected areas said they no longer felt safe celebrating Christmas in their homes.
Against this background, the absence of major Christmas attacks in 2025 has been noted by observers. While security agencies have not officially linked the calm period solely to the US airstrikes, some analysts believe the military pressure may have disrupted the plans of armed groups.
However, reactions to the US congressman’s comments have been mixed. While some welcomed the airstrikes as a positive step toward improving security, others cautioned against framing Nigeria’s complex security challenges in purely religious terms.
The Nigerian government has consistently maintained that its fight against terrorism is not a religious war but a security operation aimed at protecting all citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity.
Officials have also stressed the importance of cooperation with international partners in addressing security threats, especially those linked to global terrorist networks like ISIS.
In recent months, Nigeria has increased collaboration with foreign allies, including the United States, in areas such as intelligence sharing, training, and technical support. The goal, according to authorities, is to strengthen local capacity while respecting national sovereignty.
Despite these efforts, many Nigerians continue to call for long-term solutions to insecurity. Civil society groups and community leaders say military action alone is not enough and must be supported by development, dialogue, and justice.
They argue that addressing unemployment, improving education, and resolving local disputes are key to preventing young people from joining violent groups.
As debate continues over the role of foreign military involvement, the Federal Government has assured citizens that all security decisions are taken with Nigeria’s interests in mind.
For communities that have experienced violence during past Christmas seasons, the relatively peaceful 2025 celebrations brought some relief. Many residents said they were grateful for the calm but urged the government to ensure that peace is sustained beyond festive periods.
While Congressman Moore praised the US airstrikes as a turning point, Nigerian authorities have said the fight against terrorism is ongoing and requires continued vigilance.