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.”
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest News from Worthy News
Andy Burnham became Britain’s new prime minister on Monday, replacing Keir Starmer after a Labour Party revolt and vowing a tougher approach toward Israel as part of an agenda that also includes sweeping economic reforms and devolving power from Westminster.
A gallon of regular gasoline in the United States climbed to about $4 and benchmark Brent crude rose above $90 a barrel Monday, further fueling a global energy crisis after the United States launched fresh airstrikes against Iran following the death of another American service member, while Tehran executed at least two more anti-government protesters.
Spain’s celebrations after winning the FIFA World Cup in the United States were overshadowed Monday by deadly wildfires that continued to rage across large parts of the country.
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar says he will ask legendary chess grandmaster Judit Polgár to become Hungary’s next president.
The United States unleashed another three-hour wave of strikes against Iranian military targets Sunday evening, marking the ninth consecutive night of American attacks as the Pentagon seeks to cripple Tehran’s ability to threaten international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Israel has begun preparations for the 2,000th anniversary of the baptism of Jesus Christ, a major Christian milestone expected to draw millions of pilgrims to the Holy Land in 2030.
Powerful flash floods have swept away churches, damaged schools and homes, and severed vital transportation routes in a remote border region of northeastern India.