US President Donald Trump has ordered the preparation of plans for potential military action in Nigeria, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s government of failing to stop the alleged killing of Christians. Trump made the announcement in a fiery social media post, claiming that “thousands” of Christians were being murdered by Islamist militant groups.
Trump said he had instructed the US Department of War to prepare for “possible action,” warning that he could deploy the military “guns-a-blazing” if the Nigerian government did not intervene. He also threatened to cut off all aid to Nigeria, adding that any US attack “will be fast, vicious, and sweet.”
The Nigerian government has not officially responded to Trump’s remarks. However, President Tinubu rejected the accusations, insisting that Nigeria remains a nation of religious tolerance and unity. “The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” he said, adding that security challenges affect citizens “across faiths and regions.”
Trump also declared Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” a US designation for nations accused of severe violations of religious freedom. This status could pave the way for sanctions, though Trump did not provide evidence to support his claims of widespread Christian persecution.
Groups monitoring violence, including the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (Acled), dispute the narrative of a targeted genocide. They note that most victims of extremist violence in northeastern Nigeria — where Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province operate have been Muslims.
Analysts warn that Trump’s statements could inflame religious tensions in Nigeria, where decades of conflict between herders and farmers divided along ethnic and religious lines have already claimed thousands of lives.
While Trump has long portrayed himself as a peace-promoting leader, his latest comments signal a more aggressive stance toward African nations accused of religious intolerance.
