US Congressman Riley Moore declares Christmas Day strikes on ISIS targets the initial move in escalated campaign to protect vulnerable communities.
Republican Congressman Riley Moore hailed the United States‘ Christmas Day airstrikes on ISIS terrorist camps in northwest Nigeria as “just the first step” in securing the country and halting the ongoing slaughter of Christians.
Moore, who recently visited Nigeria and championed congressional efforts to address the crisis, emphasized the operation’s success in a series of statements.
He revealed that the precision strikes, coordinated with Nigerian authorities, killed multiple terrorists while thwarting potential holiday attacks that have plagued Christian communities in previous years.
“President Trump has been clear that the killing of Christians in Nigeria must end,” Moore stated.
“The successful strikes on ISIS, in coordination with the Nigerian government, are just the first step to secure the country and end the slaughter of our brothers and sisters in Christ.”
Furthermore, Moore signaled that additional actions loom on the horizon.
He dismissed critics who fear escalation, insisting the interventions bring peace rather than war.
“President Trump is not trying to bring war to Nigeria,” he asserted.
“He is bringing peace and security to Nigeria and to the thousands of Christians who face horrific violence and death.”
The airstrikes targeted ISIS-linked enclaves in Sokoto State, including forested areas used as staging grounds for attacks.
U.S. Africa Command confirmed multiple terrorists died in the operation, which involved advanced munitions launched from naval assets in the region.
Moore highlighted the dire scale of the threat, citing estimates of 50,000 to 125,000 Christians killed since 2009 by terrorists affiliated with ISIS, Boko Haram, and related groups.
He added that 7,000 Christians perished this year alone, displacing hundreds of thousands and devastating regions like Benue State in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
President Donald Trump personally announced the strikes on Christmas, framing them as a decisive blow against terrorists accused of targeting innocent Christians.
Defense officials echoed Moore’s view, noting “more to come” if violence persists.
Meanwhile, Nigerian officials confirmed the joint nature of the operation, describing it as part of ongoing counterterrorism cooperation based on shared intelligence.
Analysts note the strikes represent a rare direct U.S. military engagement in Nigeria’s northwest, where Sahel-based terrorists have expanded operations amid broader regional instability.
Moore’s warnings underscore growing bipartisan concern in Congress over the crisis, with calls mounting for sustained international support to safeguard civilians from terrorist violence.
