Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, has reassured investors that the country’s recent joint security operation with the United States in Sokoto will not disrupt financial markets but instead strengthen economic confidence.
In a statement on Sunday, Edun explained that the operation, conducted on Christmas Day, was intelligence-driven and specifically targeted at terrorist groups threatening national stability and local communities.
The PUNCH reports that U.S. President Donald Trump followed through on his earlier warning of military action against terrorist networks in Nigeria—a threat he issued in November, which had sparked negative reactions in global financial markets.
Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump announced:
“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 innocent Christians at levels not seen in many years.”
He added that he had previously warned the terrorists of severe consequences if the attacks continued and described the strikes as “numerous perfect strikes” executed by the U.S. Department of War.
“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,” Trump said.
Nigerian authorities have since confirmed that the strikes were carried out with the Federal Government’s approval, with indications that further coordinated operations could follow.
