U.S. Military Targets ISIS Network Accused of Killing Christians in Nigeria

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Worthy News) – The U.S. Department of War is stepping up efforts to protect Christians in Nigeria after President Donald Trump directed military leaders to focus on terrorist networks targeting believers in the West African nation, War Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday.

Speaking during a White House cabinet meeting, Hegseth said Trump “heard the call of Nigerian Christians” who were being targeted and killed by ISIS-linked terrorists and ordered the department to act.

“He never wavered on it,” Hegseth said, adding that U.S. forces killed ISIS commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified by U.S. Africa Command as the terror group’s director of global operations in West Africa.

AFRICOM said al-Minuki had been involved in planning attacks and directing hostage-taking operations. The command said the operation was carried out in coordination with the Nigerian government and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

“This operation underscores the exceptional value of the U.S.-Nigeria partnership,” AFRICOM commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson said.

Nigeria has faced years of Islamic terrorist attacks, particularly in its northern and central regions, where Christian communities, churches, and religious gatherings have repeatedly been targeted. In January, more than 150 Christians were reportedly abducted during Sunday worship services in Kaduna state after gunmen stormed three churches.

Hegseth said intelligence gathered from recent operations has helped U.S. and Nigerian forces kill “hundreds of ISIS members” who were targeting Christians.

“Make no mistake,” Anderson said, “our two nations will relentlessly pursue and neutralize terrorist threats and are committed to protecting our people and interests.”

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