Trump threats: Troops pound terror bases in key states
The Nigerian military has intensified land and air operations in parts of the North following a threat by United States President Donald Trump to consider deploying American forces to Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians.
The PUNCH reported that Trump, in a recent post on his Truth Social platform, said he had directed the US Department of War to prepare for “possible action” if the alleged persecution continued.
He also warned that the US could suspend all aid to Nigeria if the Tinubu administration failed to act.
He wrote, “If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now-disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.
I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians.”
Meanwhile, rival terrorist factions have engaged in violent clashes in the northern region.
More than 50 fighters were reportedly killed in a confrontation between Boko Haram (Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunna lid-Da‘wa wa’l-Jihād) and the Islamic State of West Africa Province over territorial control in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State.
The clash occurred on Sunday evening in Toumbun Gini, an island community, after ISWAP launched an offensive to reclaim the area recently seized by Boko Haram.
A video obtained by our correspondent showed bloodied bodies floating in a canoe, with fighters chanting “Allahu Akbar,” suggesting that Boko Haram repelled the ISWAP attackers.
Local sources said ISWAP deployed about 10 high-powered watercraft to launch the attack, but were ambushed by Boko Haram operatives who had prior intelligence of the operation.
“ISWAP boats landed, but what was meant to be a surprise attack turned into a deadly trap. The first shots were decisive. JAS fighters overpowered them within minutes. ISWAP was routed,” a source said.
Over 50 ISWAP fighters were reportedly killed, and seven of their boats were seized. Three boats escaped with casualties. It remains unclear whether ISWAP will launch a counter-attack.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Uba Sani, were unsuccessful as calls and messages were unanswered.
The clash happened hours after troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion, Sector 2, Operation Hadin Kai, foiled a Boko Haram ambush on civilians in Dutse Kura, rescuing 86 victims and arresting 29 suspected logistics suppliers.
In a statement on Sunday, Lt. Col. Sani said the terrorists attempted to abduct civilians and seize vehicles along the Buratai–Kamuya Road before troops intervened. The terrorists were pursued to Mangari, where troops discovered 11 makeshift structures used as a camp.
