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U.S. President Accuses Nigeria of Failing to Protect Christians
U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the American military to prepare for potential operations in Nigeria against Islamist militant groups, accusing the Nigerian government of failing to safeguard Christian communities.
Trump’s comments come amid renewed debate over religious violence in Africa’s most populous nation. Although he alleged “record numbers” of Christians were being killed, data from independent monitoring groups shows no clear evidence that Christians are targeted more than Muslims. Nigeria remains almost evenly split between the two faiths.
Nigeria’s Response: ‘We Are a Sovereign Nation’
A senior adviser to President Bola Tinubu, Daniel Bwala, said Nigeria welcomes foreign support in combating insurgents but emphasized that the country remains sovereign.
“We know the heart and intent of Trump is to help us fight insecurity,” Bwala said, adding that extremist groups have attacked people of all religions and that Nigeria’s security challenges are “not faith-based.”
Tinubu reiterated that Nigeria values religious tolerance and continues working to protect all citizens, regardless of belief.
Trump Threatens Airstrikes and Aid Cuts
In a recent post on his social media platform, Trump said he had ordered the U.S. Department of War to prepare for “possible action” in Nigeria. He warned that unless the Nigerian government intervened, the U.S. could launch airstrikes or deploy ground troops.
“They’re killing Christians in very large numbers. We’re not going to allow that to happen,” Trump declared.
He also threatened to cut all U.S. aid to what he described as “the now disgraced country.”
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth responded publicly:
“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 atrocities.”
Nigerians React to Trump’s Comments
Trump’s remarks sparked widespread debate in Nigeria. Many citizens expressed alarm at the idea of U.S. military involvement, urging their government to strengthen its fight against insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Others interpreted Trump’s statements as symbolic, viewing them as pressure on Nigeria to do more about terrorism in the northern and central regions.
Background: Decades of Islamist Insurgency
For more than a decade, Boko Haram and ISWAP have caused massive destruction across northeastern Nigeria, killing tens of thousands and displacing millions. According to ACLED (Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project), most of the victims have been Muslims.
In central Nigeria, long-running herder-farmer clashes—often drawn along ethnic and religious lines—have fueled cycles of revenge attacks. Experts say both Christian and Muslim communities have suffered heavily, with no verified evidence of systematic genocide against Christians.
U.S. Labels Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’
Trump also announced that Nigeria has been designated a “Country of Particular Concern” under U.S. law for alleged violations of religious freedom. The move could open the door to sanctions or diplomatic restrictions.
In response, Tinubu stated that the designation “does not reflect Nigeria’s national reality,” emphasizing that his administration works closely with international partners to promote peace and coexistence across all faiths.
