US President Donald Trump has ordered the American military to prepare for possible action in Nigeria to tackle Islamist militant groups, accusing the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians.
In a series of social media posts over the weekend, President Trump claimed that Christians were being killed in “record numbers” in Nigeria, warning that the US could deploy troops or carry out airstrikes if the situation persisted.
“They’re killing record numbers of Christians in Nigeria. They’re killing them in very large numbers. We’re not going to allow that to happen,” Trump said.
He added that he had instructed the US Department of War to prepare for “fast, vicious, and sweet” military action unless the Nigerian government intervened, and threatened to cut aid to what he described as “the now disgraced country.”
However, independent groups monitoring violence in Nigeria have said there is no evidence to suggest that Christians are being targeted more than Muslims. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is almost evenly split between the two major faiths.
Reacting to Trump’s comments, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, said Nigeria would welcome US collaboration in tackling terrorism but emphasized that the country remains a sovereign nation.
“Any military action against jihadist groups should be carried out together,” Bwala said in an interview with the BBC. “Nigeria would welcome help in addressing insecurity, but the jihadists have killed people of all faiths including Christians, Muslims, and even those with no religion.”
Bwala, who is also a Christian pastor, described Trump’s statement as “a unique way of communicating,” he noted that the Nigerian government did not interpret his words literally.
“We know the heart and intent of Trump is to help us fight insecurity,” he said, expressing hope that both leaders would meet soon to discuss security cooperation.
President Bola Tinubu has repeatedly maintained that there is religious tolerance in Nigeria, stressing that insecurity affects people “across faiths and regions.”
The US Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, appeared to confirm Trump’s order, writing in response: “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’s comments have sparked concern across Nigeria, with citizens and civil society groups calling on the government to strengthen counter-terrorism efforts and avoid any diplomatic escalation that could invite foreign military intervention.
