U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened possible military intervention in Nigeria, saying he has instructed the Pentagon to “prepare for action” if the West African nation continues to “allow the killing of Christians.”
Speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday while returning to Washington from Florida, Trump told reporters that U.S. troops “could be” deployed to Nigeria. When asked if this meant boots on the ground or air strikes, he replied, “Could be.”
“They’re killing Christians, and killing them in very large numbers,” Trump said. “We’re not going to allow that to happen.”
The comments follow Trump’s post on his social media platform on Saturday, where he said the U.S. might go into Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” if the government fails to stop what he called “Islamic terrorists” attacking Christians.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, guns-a-blazing, to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists,” he wrote. “I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action.”
Trump also said he has asked U.S. lawmakers, including Representatives Riley Moore and Tom Cole, along with the House Appropriations Committee, to investigate reports of religious persecution in Nigeria.
Diaspora Digital Media reported that on Friday, Trump designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern,” citing what he described as “particularly severe violations of religious freedom.” He claimed Christianity faces an “existential threat” in Nigeria.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country with over 230 million people, is roughly evenly divided between Christians and Muslims.
The nation continues to battle deadly attacks from armed groups, including Boko Haram and bandits operating in the northern regions.
Reacting to Trump’s remarks, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dismissed the characterization of Nigeria as religiously intolerant.
“The characterization of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” Tinubu said in a statement. “We continue to engage with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and remain committed to protecting the rights and safety of all citizens.”
Tinubu also reaffirmed his government’s willingness to work with the U.S. and the international community “to deepen understanding and cooperation on protecting communities of all faiths.”
Amnesty International and the Associated Press have reported increasing violence across northern Nigeria this year, with frequent attacks by insurgent and criminal groups causing widespread casualties.