WASHINGTON (FN) — President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon to prepare for potential military engagement in Nigeria, citing what he described as systematic killings of Christians by Islamist extremists.
In a series of posts Saturday on Truth Social, Trump accused Nigerian authorities of failing to curb religious violence and threatened to halt all U.S. aid. He labeled the situation a “Christian genocide” and warned that any American response would be “fast, vicious, and sweet”.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria,” Trump wrote. “I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action.”
Nigeria’s government dismissed the allegations, calling them inflammatory and inaccurate. A statement from President Bola Tinubu’s office emphasized that violence in the country affects multiple religious and ethnic groups, and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to constitutional protections for all faiths.
Officials close to Tinubu described Trump’s remarks as reckless, warning they could jeopardize diplomatic ties and derail ongoing counterterrorism cooperation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reportedly drafting a formal response to the U.S. State Department.
Reactions across Nigeria have been polarized. Some citizens condemned Trump’s comments as foreign interference, while others welcomed the global spotlight on religious violence. “We need help, but not threats,” said Chinedu Okeke, a teacher in Jos.
Human rights advocates cautioned that Trump’s rhetoric could inflame sectarian tensions and destabilize fragile peace efforts. “This kind of language risks turning a complex security crisis into a religious war,” said Dr. Amina Yusuf, a public health consultant in Abuja.
The Pentagon has not commented on Trump’s directive, and it remains unclear whether operational planning has begun. Analysts say the controversy could reshape U.S.-Nigeria relations and reignite debate over foreign intervention in domestic conflicts.
