The United States President, Donald Trump, has said that the United States could deploy troops or launch air strikes in Nigeria to stop what he described as the “killing of large numbers of Christians” in the country.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump did not rule out any form of military action, suggesting both air and ground operations were being considered.
According to Reuters, when asked whether he envisioned “troops on the ground or air strikes in Nigeria,” Trump responded: “Could be. I mean, other things. I envisage a lot of things. They’re killing record numbers of Christians in Nigeria … They’re killing the Christians and killing them in very large numbers. We’re not going to allow that to happen.”
Trump’s remarks mark one of his strongest indications yet of potential direct U.S. military involvement in Nigeria, heightening diplomatic tension and sparking debate over Washington’s approach to foreign interventions in Africa.
On Friday, President Trump said that, in response to claims of genocide against Christians in Nigeria, he had redesignated the country as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
He announced the decision on his Truth Social media platform.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN’ — But that is the least of it,” he posted.
The Nigerian government has denied claims of Christian genocide in the country.
The President emphasized that Nigeria’s constitution enshrines the protection of religious rights and that his administration continues to ensure equality for all faiths across the country.
After this comments Trump further noted that the United States military may come “gun-blazing” into the country.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”
“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians,” he said.
The Nigerian government has however denied any genocide against Christians.
The President, Bola Tinubu, emphasised that Nigeria’s constitution enshrines the protection of religious rights and that his administration continues to ensure equality for all faiths across the country.
“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” Tinubu said.
He noted that since assuming office in 2023, his administration has maintained active engagement with both Christian and Muslim leaders while working to tackle security challenges that affect citizens regardless of their religious affiliation.
“Since 2023, our administration has maintained an open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges which affect citizens across faiths and regions,” he stated.
Tinubu dismissed what he described as a mischaracterisation of Nigeria’s religious landscape by external observers, saying such claims fail to reflect the country’s diversity and the government’s ongoing efforts to promote peaceful coexistence.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” the President declared.
He stressed that religious tolerance remains central to Nigeria’s national identity, insisting that the government neither supports nor condones persecution based on faith.
“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it,” he affirmed.
Tinubu further underscored that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees protection for citizens of all faiths, reiterating that his administration will continue to work with international partners to promote understanding and safeguard communities.
“Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths,” he said.
“Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths,” Tinubu added.
Trump says there ‘could be’ US troops on the ground in Nigeria, or air strikes.
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