Former U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the American military to prepare for possible “action” in Nigeria, citing alleged attacks on Christians by Islamist militant groups. The move has stirred international debate and concern within Nigeria, where officials maintain that the country’s conflict is not driven by religion.
In a post on social media, Trump claimed he had instructed the U.S. Department of War to ready forces for a potential strike, warning that Washington might suspend aid to Nigeria and launch a swift military offensive if the Nigerian government fails to act.
“If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet — just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians,” Trump wrote.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared to back the statement, asserting that the Department of War was “preparing for action” and vowing to “kill the Islamic terrorists” responsible for the alleged atrocities.
However, Nigerian authorities and analysts have dismissed Trump’s claims of a “Christian genocide,” insisting that extremist violence in the country affects people across religious lines. Presidential advisor Daniel Bwala told the BBC that Nigeria “would welcome support” from the U.S. in tackling jihadist groups but emphasized that “Nigeria remains a sovereign nation.”
President Bola Tinubu has also reiterated that Nigeria is committed to protecting all citizens regardless of faith.
“The characterization of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” Tinubu said in response to Trump’s remarks.
For over a decade, groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have terrorized communities in northern Nigeria, killing thousands — the majority of whom are Muslims, according to global conflict monitoring organization ACLED.
Additionally, in central Nigeria, tensions between Muslim herders and predominantly Christian farmers over land and water rights have led to deadly clashes, though human rights groups say the violence is not one-sided.
Trump, who has previously declared Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” for alleged religious persecution, claimed that “thousands of Christians” had been killed — without presenting evidence. The designation allows for possible U.S. sanctions under the Religious Freedom Act.
Observers note that Trump’s statement comes amid rising right-wing pressure in the U.S. to respond to reports of religious violence in Africa. Nigerian officials and citizens have urged caution, warning that foreign intervention could escalate tensions rather than resolve them.
