President Donald Trump has instructed the U.S. military to make preparations for potential intervention in Nigeria, citing concerns over Islamist militant activity and accusing the Nigerian government of neglecting the safety of its Christian population.
Although he did not identify particular incidents, allegations of widespread violence against Christians in Nigeria have been circulating within conservative political and media circles in the United States in recent weeks.
Groups monitoring conflict in Nigeria have dismissed claims of one-sided religious violence, noting that both Christians and Muslims have suffered heavily in the country, which is almost evenly divided between the two faiths.
A presidential adviser told the BBC that any military intervention against jihadist groups must be pursued collaboratively with Nigeria.
Daniel Bwala emphasised that while Nigeria is open to international collaboration — including U.S. support — in its counterinsurgency operations, such efforts must respect the nation’s sovereignty.
He noted that extremist violence in Nigeria transcends religious lines, affecting Muslims, Christians, and non-believers alike.
President Bola Tinubu has similarly defended Nigeria’s record of religious coexistence, stressing that insecurity remains a nationwide issue cutting “across faiths and regions.”
Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced via social media that he had instructed the Department of War to prepare for “possible action,” in reference to Nigeria’s Islamist insurgency.
Reaffirming his stance on Sunday, former U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington could consider deploying troops or conducting airstrikes in Nigeria to stop the alleged mass killings of Christians.
“They’re killing record numbers of Christians in Nigeria,” he declared. “We’re not going to allow that to happen.”
In a post the previous day, Trump warned that unless the Nigerian government intervened, he might order a military response “guns-a-blazing,” while also threatening to cut all aid to what he described as “the now disgraced country.”
President Trump declared that any U.S. intervention would be “fast, vicious, and sweet,” likening it to attacks on what he called “cherished Christians.”
Responding to the post, U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth affirmed that the Department of War was preparing for operations, saying that Nigeria must either protect its Christian population or the U.S. would target the Islamist militants responsible.
The exchange provoked widespread concern in Nigeria, where social media users urged the government to strengthen its counter-insurgency efforts to avoid foreign military involvement.
Speaking to the BBC’s Newshour, Mr. Bwala, a Christian pastor, downplayed Trump’s remarks, describing them as part of his “unique way of communicating.” He said Nigerians understood that Trump’s comments were well-intentioned and aimed at helping the country confront insecurity.
Mr. Bwala added that he hoped the former U.S. president would soon meet with President Tinubu to discuss strengthening cooperation on security.
Source: BBC News
