"I Said, Let's Give ISIS a Christmas Present - Trump Speaks on Recent Nigeria Air Strike
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that amid the recent unexpected airstrike by the world powerful army base county, the United States President, Donald Trump has disclosed that American airstrikes against suspected Islamic State (IS) militants in northwest Nigeria were intentionally delayed by him so they could be carried out around Christmas.
OTN News further reports as gathered that Trump announced this in an interview with Politico after the air force had carried out his order on the northern states.
Speaking with Politico, the president said “They were going to do it earlier. And I said, ‘Nope, let’s give a Christmas present.’"
Trump condemned the wicked act of the IS fighters, said that the militants targeted were “targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians.”
OTN News recalls that late Thursday the United States launched a “powerful and deadly strike” against ISIS fighters.
OTN News further recalls that the Nigerian government confirmed it cooperated with the United States on the operation through intelligence sharing and strategic coordination.
Nigeria’s Minister of information, Mohammed Idris said the strikes were launched shortly after midnight from the Gulf of Guinea and involved “16 GPS-guided precision” missiles and MQ-9 Reaper drones.
OTN News observes that the airstrikes, which targeted an alleged IS camp in Sokoto State, were felt by nearby communities.
In Jabo village, residents said the explosions shook homes and lit up the sky.
A 40-year-old farmer, Sanusi Madabo, said that he initially thought a plane had crashed.
“The light burned bright for hours,” Madabo said. “It was almost like daytime.”
However, residents and security analysts have noted that Nigeria’s prolonged security crisis affects both Christians and Muslims across the country.
The full impact of the strikes, including casualties and damage, has yet to be independently confirmed.
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