Global tension is rising after U.S. President Donald J. Trump on Saturday threatened to launch military intervention in Nigeria and suspend all foreign aid to the country if its government “continues to allow the killing of Christians.”
In a fiery post on his social media platform, the American president accused Nigerian authorities of failing to stop what he described as the “mass persecution of Christians,” warning that the United States would act unilaterally if necessary.
“If Nigeria does not halt the persecution of Christians, I may send U.S. troops guns-a-blazing to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump wrote.
He added that he had already directed U.S. military authorities to prepare for possible intervention.
“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 declared.
The statement comes barely 24 hours after Trump’s earlier announcement that he had reclassified Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” — a diplomatic designation that could trigger sanctions and restrict military or financial assistance.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” Trump had said on Friday.
Nigeria’s government, however, has dismissed Trump’s assertions as inaccurate, insisting that the country remains committed to religious tolerance and national security.
With a population of over 220 million people, Nigeria — Africa’s most populous nation — is almost evenly divided between Christians and Muslims. In recent years, extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have unleashed violent attacks across the North, targeting civilians, churches, mosques, and security forces.
The groups, which claim to seek the imposition of strict Islamic rule, have killed tens of thousands and displaced millions, fueling global outrage and humanitarian concern.
Analysts say Trump’s remarks mark a significant escalation in rhetoric between Washington and Abuja, with potential diplomatic and security consequences if the threats are carried out.
While U.S. officials have yet to confirm any immediate military planning, Trump’s words have sparked intense debate among policymakers and human rights observers, many of whom warn that unilateral intervention could destabilize an already fragile region.
