US President Donald Trump has directed the military to prepare for potential action in Nigeria aimed at combating Islamist militant groups. This move follows Trump’s accusations that the Nigerian government has failed to protect Christians amid ongoing violence. Although Trump did not specify the exact incidents he was referencing, claims of genocide against Christians have been circulated in certain right-wing US circles in recent months.
Observers monitoring the violence report no clear evidence that Christians are being targeted more than Muslims in Nigeria, which has a nearly equal split between followers of the two religions. An advisor to Nigeria’s president, Daniel Bwala, told the BBC that any military intervention should be collaborative, stressing respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty. Bwala also noted that jihadist groups attack people regardless of their religious beliefs, affecting individuals across all faiths and even those without religious affiliation.
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has maintained that religious tolerance prevails in the country and highlighted that security challenges impact people from all regions and religions. Despite the tensions, Nigeria welcomes US help in fighting Islamist insurgents so long as their territorial integrity is respected.
In a social media post, Trump ordered the US Department of War to prepare for “possible action” and threatened that military forces could be deployed “guns-a-blazing” if the Nigerian government did not take decisive measures. He warned that all aid to what he called “the now disgraced country” would be halted. Trump described any military strike as swift and intense, likening it to the ferocity of terrorist attacks on Christians.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth responded affirmatively, stating that preparations were underway and emphasizing that either Nigeria would safeguard Christians or the US would act against the terrorist groups responsible for the atrocities.
Trump’s statements have generated alarm across Nigeria, with many citizens calling on their government to intensify efforts against Islamist militants to prevent foreign military intervention. Nonetheless, officials including Bwala stressed that Trump’s manner of communication is unique and that Nigeria is not taking the comments literally. They expressed hope for diplomatic discussions between Trump and Tinubu to address the situation collaboratively.
