US President Donald Trump has instructed the American military to begin preparing for possible operations in Nigeria to confront Islamist militant groups, accusing the Nigerian government of failing to safeguard Christian communities.
Trump did not specify which incidents he was referring to, although claims of a Christian genocide in Nigeria have recently been spreading in some conservative circles in the US.
Organizations that track violence in the country say there is no proven evidence showing that Christians are being targeted more than Muslims. Nigeria is almost evenly split between both religions.
A senior adviser to Nigeria’s president told the BBC that any military activities against the jihadists should be a joint effort.
Daniel Bwala said Nigeria would appreciate US support in battling Islamist insurgents, but emphasized that the nation remains “sovereign.”
He also stated the extremists are not attacking people based on religion, pointing out that victims include individuals of all beliefs, or none at all.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has maintained that religious tolerance exists in the nation and insists the security crisis affects citizens “across faiths and regions.”
On Saturday, Trump announced through a social media post that he had directed the US Department of War to prepare for “possible action.”
He warned that he could send the US military into Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” if the Nigerian government does not act quickly, threatening to cut all American aid to what he described as “the now disgraced country.”
Trump added: “If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!”
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth responded: “Yes sir. The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”
Trump’s comments have sparked widespread anxiety across Nigeria, with many citizens urging the government to intensify efforts against Islamist militants to prevent foreign troops from being deployed on Nigerian soil.
