Trump Orders Pentagon to Protect Nigerian Christians from ISIS

During a press conference, Pete Hegseth stated that former President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to focus on protecting Nigerian Christians who are targeted by ISIS. Hegseth mentioned that Trump had given this directive about a year ago, emphasizing the need for military operations to ensure the safety of these vulnerable communities.

He noted that recent operations involved coordination between U.S. and Nigerian forces, which resulted in the death of Abu Bilal al Minuki, identified as ISIS's second-in-command. This operation, which occurred earlier in the month, was part of broader efforts to counter the threat posed by ISIS in Nigeria and to protect U.S. interests.

Hegseth highlighted that the U.S. Department of Defense has been actively involved in intelligence gathering and military asset deployment to combat ISIS's attacks on Christians in Nigeria, reflecting the Trump administration's commitment to counterterrorism efforts.