Donald Trump has said the United States carried out what he described as a “powerful and deadly” military strike against ISIS fighters operating in north-west Nigeria.

In a statement posted on his official Facebook page late on Christmas Day, Mr Trump said the operation was carried out “at my direction as Commander in Chief”.

He claimed the targeted group had been “viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians”, adding that the violence was happening “at levels not seen for many years, and even centuries”.

Mr Trump said he had previously warned the group to stop the attacks or face severe consequences.

“Tonight, there was,” he wrote.

The US President said the strikes were executed by the US Department of War, using language that departs from the department’s official name, the Department of Defense.

“The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing,” he said.

Mr Trump added that under his leadership, the US would not allow what he described as “Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper”.

He ended the statement by praising the US military and offering Christmas greetings, including a controversial remark directed at those killed in the operation.

“May God Bless our Military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists,” he wrote.

Why this matters

The confirmed claim represent a significant escalation of US military involvement in Nigeria’s long-running fight against Islamist insurgency.

Nigeria has spent more than a decade battling armed groups linked to ISIS and Boko Haram, particularly in the north-east, while criminal and extremist violence has expanded into north-west states in recent years.

Any unilateral foreign military action on Nigerian soil would raise serious questions about sovereignty, regional security cooperation and civilian safety.

What Nigerian authorities are saying

As of publication, Nigerian security agencies and government officials have publicly confirmed that US air strikes took place in the region.

Nigeria typically works with international partners through intelligence sharing, training and logistical support rather than direct foreign combat operations.

A small aircraft has crash-landed on a busy Florida motorway, hitting a moving car and leaving a woman injured during Monday evening rush hour, authorities say.

Florida Highway Patrol confirmed that the Beechcraft 55 aircraft came down on Interstate 95 at about 5:45pm, striking a Toyota Camry before skidding across the road in a shower of sparks.

The crash, captured in shocking dashcam footage, shows the aircraft diving toward traffic before smashing into the rear of the vehicle and flipping onto its roof.

Why it matters

The incident highlights ongoing concerns around emergency landings on major roads in the United States, especially as small-aircraft failures continue to prompt mid-air distress calls.

The Florida highway, one of the busiest in the region, was filled with commuters at the time, raising fears of what could have been a mass-casualty crash.

Driver survives with minor injuries

The 57-year-old woman driving the Camry was taken to hospital with minor injuries. Officials say her survival is “remarkable,” given the force of the impact.

The 27-year-old pilot from Orlando and his 27-year-old passenger from Temple Terrace walked away without injuries, remaining at the scene to speak with investigators.

According to initial reports, the pilot told authorities he was experiencing engine problems shortly before attempting the emergency landing.

‘We just saw this plane drop out of the sky’ — Eyewitnesses

Eyewitness Jim Coffey, whose dashcam captured part of the crash, described the moment the aircraft plunged toward traffic.

“We just saw this plane drop out of the sky,” he said.

Coffey explained that the plane missed his vehicle by seconds.

“I noticed it was there, because there’s a plane right there. I was like, ‘Hopefully it lands to the side.’ I thought it might maybe aim around and not hit the car, but bam, the wheel just smacked right on the back of the car.”

His son, Peter, added that the plane appeared to narrowly avoid multiple vehicles before impact.

“Fortunately, the car didn’t roll, it kind of mashed and went to the side,” Coffey said.

Scene of destruction

Images from the scene show the car crushed at the rear and the plane with its nose torn off and one wheel missing.

Emergency responders cordoned off the wreckage as investigators from state and federal aviation authorities examined the aircraft.

What’s next?

Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are now reviewing flight logs, maintenance records, and witness statements to determine the exact cause.

The highway has since been reopened.

The Trump administration is intensifying its immigration crackdown by reviewing all green cards issued to nationals from 19 “countries of concern.”

The move follows the recent shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, DC, which authorities linked to an Afghan national.

Why it matters

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joe Edlow confirmed the directive, posting on X: “At the direction of @POTUS, I have directed a full scale, rigorous reexamination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern.”

US officials say the reexamination aims to identify potential security risks linked to immigrants from these nations. USCIS explained that the vetting process will now consider “negative, country specific factors,” including each country’s ability to issue secure identity documents.

Countries targeted

The 19 nations listed in a June presidential proclamation include Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

Nigeria, though recently designated a Country of Particular Concern by the administration, is exempt from the green card review.

Industry and expert reaction

Immigration experts warn the new measures could slow processing times and create uncertainty for thousands of legal residents. Dr. Lisa Collins, a US immigration policy analyst, said:

“A blanket review of green cards can create anxiety and disrupt families, while straining USCIS resources already stretched by backlogs.”

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees USCIS, is also reviewing asylum approvals issued under the previous Biden administration, adding another layer of scrutiny.

Impact on residents and society

For affected immigrants, the review may result in additional documentation requests or delays in permanent residency verification. Advocacy groups are monitoring the situation closely, warning of potential human and economic impacts.

What’s next

USCIS has not announced a timeline for the reexamination process. Authorities say the review will be rigorous but did not clarify how it will affect existing green card holders immediately.