U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he ordered the Pentagon to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria. He wrote the directive on his social media platform and warned the U.S. would stop all aid to Nigeria if attacks on Christians do not stop.
Trump called Nigeria a “disgraced country” and said U.S. forces could enter “guns-a-blazing” to wipe out what he called Islamic terrorists. He used the phrase “fast, vicious, and sweet” to describe any attack. The statement gives no new public evidence for the claim that the Nigerian government allows targeted killings of Christians.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a screenshot of Trump’s message and wrote, “Yes sir.” He said the Department of War is preparing for action and urged Nigeria to protect Christians.
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rejected the claim that the country tolerates religious persecution. He said the label of religious intolerance does not reflect Nigeria’s reality and noted his government works to protect all faiths. Nigeria’s foreign ministry also said attacks hit both Christians and Muslims.
Analysts and local reports say Nigeria faces varied violence. Some attacks link to Islamist insurgents. Other violence stems from clashes over land, herder-farmer disputes, and ethnic tension. Local reporting shows many victims live in the mostly Muslim north.
Trump’s post followed his administration’s decision to add Nigeria to a U.S. “Countries of Particular Concern” watchlist for religious freedom violations. That designation can lead to sanctions or other actions.
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