Trump Threatens Military Action in Nigeria Over Christian Persecution: New Diplomatic Crisis Looms
In an unexpected and sharply worded political statement, former US President Donald Trump announced his intention to prepare for possible military intervention in Nigeria, a country plagued by intense inter-religious conflicts and unprecedented persecution of Christians.
Trump ordered the Pentagon to start mobilizing forces for potential operations if the Nigerian government continues to ignore basic human rights.
Through his social media platform Truth Social, he explicitly stated: “If Nigeria’s government allows the killing of Christians to continue, the United States will immediately cease all support and may deploy military force to eliminate the Islamic terrorists committing these atrocities.
This is an official order and a call to action for our armed forces — act quickly, fiercely, and decisively, just as these terrorists attack our innocent citizens.” These threats came in response to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s denial of any religious intolerance within Nigeria, emphasizing that religious freedom and tolerance are fundamental aspects of Nigerian identity.
Tinubu remarked: “We oppose any form of persecution and uphold the constitutional protection of all faiths.
Our nation stands for peace and mutual respect among communities.” Trump’s comments, emphasizing the threat posed by Islamist militants and the plight of Christians in Nigeria, surfaced ahead of ongoing debates in the US regarding foreign policy on religious conflicts.
Over the years, the region has seen rising security concerns, fueled by clashes among various ethnic groups, conflicts between farmers and herders over scarce resources, intercommunal disputes, and insurgent activities by extremist groups like Boko Haram.
Although many attacks target Christians, analysts note that many violence incidents in the predominantly Muslim northern regions have also affected Muslims.
Nigerian authorities reaffirm their commitment to protect citizens of all faiths, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kimebi Ebienfa stating: “The Nigerian government will continue safeguarding all citizens regardless of race or religion, and we celebrate our diversity—a strength we cherish.” Meanwhile, the international community remains vigilant, urging dialogue and peaceful solutions amid ongoing regional instability caused by multifaceted conflicts.