Emmanuel Akinwotu

Both sides of the war have been accused of rights abuses, but most by the RSF, who the US and UN says have committed a genocide in the western region of Darfur.

Emmanuel Akimotu, NPR News, Lagos.

really the most dominant factor for insecurity is geography and not religion.

That's not to say that Christians don't face specific threats.

Christians are definitely being targeted.

It's definitely been a very difficult period for Christians, especially in northern and central Nigeria, as insecurity in the country has gotten worse.

But whether they are being targeted more than other groups are, I think that's heavily disputed.

The strikes occurred overnight on Friday morning local time in northwest Nigeria.

ISIS militants were targeted in the attacks, described as deadly by President Trump, but officials have given few details.

Trump said more strikes would follow.

Nigeria's government has come out in support of the operation.

Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuga said he spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shortly before the strikes, but has faced criticism

and questions on whether Nigeria gave consent or was simply consulted.

Nigeria has faced pressure from US officials who claim Christians are facing a genocide from armed groups whose security experts say target both Christians and Muslims.

Emmanuel Akimotu, NPR News, Lagos.

The U.S.

Africa Command, who are in charge of military operations on the continent, they put it differently.

In a statement they said initially the strikes were requested by the Nigerian government and then they amended that statement to say it was done in coordination with them.

But in any case, this is clearly a really significant intervention and an inflection point in Nigeria.

US military involvement in Nigeria.