US President Donald Trump has threatened military action against Nigeria if the government does not stop the ongoing killings of Christians in the country.
In a fiery social media post, Trump warned that the United States would halt all aid and assistance to Nigeria and could launch direct intervention if attacks on Christians persist.
Trump stated, “If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”
He added, “I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians! WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!”
This statement follows Trump’s recent designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act, citing “severe violations of religious freedom.”
Nigeria has faced years of violence and insecurity, including attacks by Boko Haram and other Islamist militant groups in the northeast, as well as deadly clashes between Fulani herdsmen and Christian farming communities.
Trump’s remarks have drawn mixed reactions globally. Supporters such as US Senator Ted Cruz and rapper Nicki Minaj praised him for “defending persecuted Christians.”
However, Nigerian officials have strongly rejected Trump’s characterization. Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, told Newsweek there is no evidence of Christian genocide, saying the claims are exaggerated and politically motivated.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emphasized that religious freedom and tolerance are “core tenets of Nigeria’s identity,” stating, “Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it. Our population is nearly evenly split between Christians and Muslims, and our constitution guarantees freedom of religion.”
The Trump administration’s stance represents a sharp escalation in rhetoric toward Nigeria, a key US ally in counterterrorism efforts.
Observers warn that Trump’s comments could increase diplomatic tensions between Washington and Abuja over issues of religious freedom, security, and human rights.
