U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded urgent military action in Nigeria over the killing of Christians, warning of a potential “fast” and aggressive response if the Nigerian government fails to act.
On Saturday, Trump announced on Truth Social that he has instructed the Defense Department to prepare for possible military intervention. He also declared an immediate halt to all U.S. aid to Nigeria. Trump emphasized that if deployed, U.S. forces would strike “‘guns-a-blazing,'” targeting the Islamic terrorists behind the atrocities. He described Nigeria as a “disgraced country” and insisted the government must swiftly respond.
No official response has yet come from Abuja or the White House regarding the threat. Trump’s comments followed his administration’s recent decision to add Nigeria back to the “Countries of Particular Concern” list for religious freedom violations—a list that also includes China, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, and Pakistan.
Earlier the same day, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rejected claims of religious intolerance, highlighting the government’s commitment to safeguarding freedom of religion as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution. Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry reinforced this stance, pledging to continue combating violent extremism and maintaining close ties with the U.S.
The U.S. military’s presence in West Africa has reduced significantly since the withdrawal of troops from Niger last year, with the largest U.S. base in Africa currently in Djibouti.
Trump first designated Nigeria a country of particular concern during his first term, a status later removed by President Biden. The re-designation signals potential policy actions, including sanctions, though none are automatic.
Nigeria, home to over 200 ethnic groups practicing Christianity, Islam, and traditional religions, has experienced intermittent violence exacerbated by ethnic and resource conflicts. Islamist extremist group Boko Haram has ravaged parts of the northeast for over 15 years, with victims mainly Muslims, according to human rights experts.
Prominent U.S. lawmakers have supported Trump’s move, pointing to the “alarming and ongoing persecution of Christians” in Nigeria and advocating for increased aid to affected communities.
In his statement, Trump accused radical Islamists of orchestrating a mass slaughter of thousands of Christians in Nigeria and called for investigations into the situation
