In what could pass off as a joke, President Donald Trump of the United States, on Thursday, wished terrorists who were killed in the operation in Nigeria, “Merry Christmas”.

Trump said this while disclosing that he approved the operation which reportedly led to the deaths of many terrorists.

Announcing the air raid, the US president said: “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!

“I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was.

“The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing. Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper.

“May God Bless our Military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.”

Meanwhile, Nigeria government has revealed that the airstrike was approved by Nigerian authority.

While confirming the operation, the federal government said the ongoing security cooperation and intelligence collaboration with the United States has resulted in precision airstrikes against terrorist targets in the North-West region of the country.

In a press release issued on Friday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government stated that Nigerian authorities are working closely with international partners, including the United States, to confront the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism.

According to the ministry, the collaboration is conducted in line with established international practices and bilateral agreements, and involves intelligence sharing, strategic coordination, and other forms of support that respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and comply with international law.

The government reiterated that all counter-terrorism operations are guided by the need to protect civilian lives, preserve national unity, and uphold the rights and dignity of all Nigerians, regardless of religious or ethnic background.

It stressed that terrorist violence targeting any group, Christians, Muslims, or other communities, remains a direct affront to Nigeria’s core values and to international peace and security.

The statement further noted that the Federal Government is intensifying efforts with its partners to weaken terrorist networks, disrupt their sources of financing and logistics, and prevent cross-border security threats, while simultaneously strengthening Nigeria’s domestic security institutions and intelligence capabilities.