The United States Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has announced that the U.S. military is “actively preparing” to launch operations against Islamist militants accused of killing Christians in Nigeria, following a direct order from President Donald J. Trump.
In a firm statement issued on Saturday, Hegseth said Washington would not stand by while innocent Christians continue to be massacred.
“Yes sir. The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria — and anywhere — must end immediately. The Department of War is preparing for action,” Hegseth declared. “Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”
Hegseth’s statement came hours after President Trump, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, directed the Department of War to prepare for possible military intervention in Nigeria if the country’s government fails to act decisively.
“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action,” Trump wrote. “If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians!”
The President’s warning was accompanied by a broader threat to cut all forms of U.S. aid to Nigeria, citing what he described as “a genocide against Christians.”
“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,” Trump stated.
“Warning: The Nigerian government better move fast!” he added.
The White House’s escalating rhetoric marks the most forceful U.S. response yet to the ongoing violence in parts of northern Nigeria, where extremist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP have carried out deadly attacks for over a decade.
Human rights groups estimate that thousands of civilians — both Christian and Muslim — have been killed in the insurgency, which has displaced millions and devastated local communities.
While Nigeria’s government insists that it is combating terrorism without religious bias, Washington’s latest warnings suggest growing frustration within the Trump administration over Abuja’s perceived failure to protect Christian minorities.
Diplomatic observers say Hegseth’s confirmation of military preparedness represents a significant shift from rhetoric to potential action, raising the stakes in an already fragile U.S.–Nigeria relationship.
If carried out, such a strike would mark the first direct American military intervention in West Africa under Trump’s renewed term — a move analysts warn could have far-reaching geopolitical consequences across the region.
For now, all eyes are on Abuja’s next move, as pressure mounts from Washington to demonstrate “immediate and decisive action” to stop the bloodshed.
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