U.S. President Donald Trump has instructed the Department of Defense to prepare for potential military action against Nigeria if its government fails to stop the ongoing killings of Christians in the country. The statement appeared on Trump’s Truth Social account, reports Baltimore Chronicle citing The Guardian.
In his post, Trump harshly criticized the Nigerian authorities, calling the country “disgraced,” and warned that the United States would cut off all financial assistance to Nigeria if the violence continues. According to the president, if Nigeria “does not put an end to the slaughter of Christians,” the U.S. military will intervene “with weapons in hand to completely eliminate the Islamic terrorists responsible for these atrocities.”
Trump emphasized that he has already directed the Pentagon to begin preparations for a potential military campaign. “If we strike, it will be swift, brutal, and decisive — just like the terrorists attack our beloved Christians. WARNING: The Nigerian government must act immediately!” he wrote.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth backed the president’s position, declaring that “the killing of innocent Christians must stop immediately.” He added that if Nigeria’s government fails to protect its citizens, “the United States will destroy the Islamic militants committing these horrific crimes.”
The Nigerian government has repeatedly denied allegations of persecution against any particular religious group. With a population exceeding 220 million, the country is almost evenly divided between Christians and Muslims.
However, as The Guardian points out, several extremist groups operate within Nigeria, including the notorious Boko Haram, which adheres to an extreme interpretation of Islamic law and targets not only Christians but also Muslims it considers insufficiently devout.
Violence in Nigeria is not solely driven by religious tensions. Conflicts often stem from disputes over natural resources, leading to clashes between herders and farmers. Analysts report that most victims of militant attacks are Muslims from northern Nigeria, where the majority of the population follows Islam and where most of the assaults occur.
Earlier we wrote that Trump Refuses Hungary Exemption from U.S. Sanctions on Russian Oil.
