Trump threatens military intervention in Nigeria on the abuse of Christians.
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump stated that he has requested the Defence Department to prepare for potential rapid military intervention in Nigeria should the West African country not effectively address the persecution of Christians.
Trump announced on Truth Social that the US government will promptly cease all aid and support to Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa and its leading oil producer.
Trump asserted that if the United States deploys military forces, it would do so with overwhelming force to eradicate the Islamic terrorists responsible for egregious atrocities, although he failed to furnish any particular information regarding the treatment of Christians in Nigeria.
Trump referred to Nigeria as a “disgraced country” and cautioned that its administration must act swiftly. “Should we launch an assault, it will be swift, brutal, and gratifying, akin to the way the terrorist thugs assault our BELOVED Christians!” he articulated.
Abuja did not provide an instant response to Trump’s threat of military intervention. The White House did not provide an immediate statement regarding the likely timetable of any US military intervention.
The US Department of Defence directed Reuters to the White House for commentary on Trump’s warning, while US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth issued his own social media statement.
“The Department of War is mobilising for action,” Hegseth stated on X. “The Nigerian Government must either safeguard Christians or we will eliminate the Islamic terrorists perpetrating these heinous acts.”
Trump’s statement against Nigeria followed the inclusion of the country on the United States’ “Countries of Particular Concern” list, which identifies nations that have infringed upon religious freedom. Additional countries on the list comprise China, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, and Pakistan.
Prior to Trump’s threat of attack, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday countered allegations of religious intolerance and advocated for his nation’s initiatives to safeguard religious freedom.
Tinubu stated, “The portrayal of Nigeria as religiously intolerant misrepresents our national reality and overlooks the government’s ongoing and genuine efforts to uphold freedom of religion and belief for all Nigerians,” referencing “constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths.”
Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry, in a distinct statement, pledged to persist in combating violent extremism and expressed the hope that Washington will maintain its status as a close ally, asserting its commitment to defend all citizens, regardless of race, creed, or religion. Similar to America, Nigeria must embrace the variety that constitutes our greatest asset.
The US military presence in West Africa was notably reduced when approximately 1,000 troops departed from Niger last year. The largest US military facility on the continent is located in Djibouti, East Africa, housing over 5,000 troops and facilitating regional operations, although the US occasionally deploys small groups of troops for drills in the area.