Nigeria TV Info 

Trump directive triggered anti-ISIS strikes in Nigeria – Hegseth

The United States Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has said that a directive from former President Donald Trump led to a series of U.S. military strikes targeting ISIS-linked militants in Nigeria, aimed at disrupting extremist networks operating in the country.

According to Hegseth, the directive instructed the Pentagon to prioritise counterterrorism operations against ISIS-affiliated groups in West Africa, particularly those accused of carrying out attacks on civilians and religious communities.

He stated that U.S. intelligence and military assets were deployed over recent months, resulting in the elimination of key ISIS operatives in northern Nigeria. Hegseth claimed that one of the high-value targets included an ISIS “number two” figure allegedly responsible for orchestrating attacks and recruitment activities in the region.

The defense official further said that intelligence gathered during operations enabled U.S. forces to intensify strikes, leading to the reported killing of hundreds of suspected ISIS fighters linked to violent activities in Nigeria.

He added that the operations were part of a broader counterterrorism campaign in coordination with regional partners, aimed at weakening ISIS influence across the Sahel and preventing threats against both local populations and U.S. interests.

The strikes have drawn global attention amid ongoing debates about foreign military intervention in West Africa and the rising insecurity linked to extremist groups operating across borders.