Airstrikes on IS forces

PRESIDENT Donald Trump said the US launched a “powerful and deadly” strike against so-called Islamic State forces in Nigeria, after spending weeks accusing the West African country’s government of failing to rein in the persecution of Christians.

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In a Christmas evening post on his social media site, Mr Trump did not provide details or mention the extent of the damage caused by the strikes.

A US Defence Department official, who insisted on anonymity to discuss details not made public, said the US worked with Nigeria to carry out the strikes, and that they had been approved by that country’s government.