United States President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria, accusing the country of failing to protect Christians from deadly extremist attacks.
Trump made the shocking statement on Saturday through a social media post, claiming that the “mass slaughter” of Christians in Nigeria had reached intolerable levels.
He warned that the U.S. would stop all aid to the country and could “go in guns blazing” if the violence continued.
In his post, Trump wrote: “We may very well go into that now disgraced country, guns-a-blazing, to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet.”
He added, “The Nigerian government better move fast! The killing of our cherished Christians must end immediately.”
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed receipt of Trump’s directive in a social media post, replying, “Yes, sir. The Department of War is preparing for action.”
Trump’s comments follow his Friday announcement designating Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act. The designation accuses the country of tolerating or committing “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”
However, Nigeria’s government has strongly rejected Trump’s allegations. President Bola Tinubu said the former U.S. leader’s characterization “does not reflect Nigeria’s national reality.”
Tinubu stated that Nigeria has “made consistent and sincere efforts to protect freedom of religion and beliefs for all citizens.” He also emphasized that both Christians and Muslims are victims of extremist violence.
Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga dismissed Trump’s claims as “a gross exaggeration.” He said that “churches, mosques, Christians, and Muslims are all attacked randomly,” adding that what Nigeria needs from the U.S. is “military support to fight extremists, not condemnation.”
Security analysts say most victims of terror attacks in northern Nigeria are Muslims, despite the global perception that Christians are being specifically targeted. The violence is fueled by a mix of religious extremism, ethnic rivalries, and farmer-herder conflicts over scarce land resources.
As of Sunday, both the White House and Nigeria’s presidency had not issued further official responses to Trump’s remarks.
If carried out, Trump’s proposed action would mark one of the most controversial U.S. military involvements in Africa in recent years, potentially straining Washington-Abuja relations.