Trump Orders Military Preparation for Action Against Islamist Militants in Nigeria
US President Donald Trump has ordered the military to prepare for possible action in Nigeria, accusing its government of failing to protect Christians.
In a social media post on Saturday, Trump said he instructed the Department of War to ready for “possible action,” warning that he might send the military into Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” unless the government intervenes. “If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!” Trump wrote, threatening also to cut all aid to what he called “the now disgraced country.”
Secretary of State for War Pete Hegseth quickly affirmed this directive, writing: “Yes sir. The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.” Trump later declared Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over what he called an “existential threat” to Christians, claiming “thousands” had been killed, but provided no evidence.
Nigerian Government Dismisses Threat
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu rejected the accusation, stressing that religious tolerance remains strong across the country. “The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” Tinubu said, adding that his government remains committed to protecting communities of all faiths.
An advisor to the president, Daniel Bwala, told the BBC that Trump “has a unique way of communicating.” He added, “We know the heart and intent of Trump is to help us fight insecurity.” Bwala said any military action should be conducted jointly, noting Nigeria is a “sovereign country,” emphasizing that jihadists have killed people “from all faiths, or none.”
Violence in Nigeria Targets All Communities
Monitoring groups say there is no evidence that jihadist groups are killing Christians more than Muslims in Nigeria, a nation nearly evenly divided between both faiths. Groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province have been devastating northeastern Nigeria for over a decade, killing thousands, mostly Muslims, according to Acled, which tracks global violence. In central Nigeria, clashes between mostly Muslim herders and predominantly Christian farmers continue over land and water access, as Human rights groups report that atrocities have occurred on both sides, with no evidence of a campaign targeting Christians specifically.
Trump, who often calls himself a “peace-making president,” faces increasing pressure from right-wing circles in the US to act on Nigeria’s crisis, with these groups claiming a Christian genocide is underway, though evidence does not support that narrative.
Bwala said he hopes Trump and Tinubu will meet soon to discuss joint strategies against jihadist groups. “We believe cooperation, not confrontation, will help us defeat terror,” he said.
