President Donald Trump has instructed the U.S. military to prepare plans for potential “action” in Nigeria, asserting that the Nigerian government is not doing enough to protect Christians. While Trump has not specified the exact incidents he is referencing, claims of a “genocide” against Christians in Nigeria have recently gained traction in certain right-wing circles in the United States.
However, organizations that monitor violence in the region report that there is no evidence suggesting Christians are targeted more than Muslims. Nigeria, a nation with a roughly equal split between Christians and Muslims, faces various security challenges.
The Nigerian government has not yet responded to the U.S. President’s threat of military intervention. President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has previously stated that religious tolerance is a reality in his country and that security issues affect individuals of all faiths and regions.
In a social media post, Trump announced he had directed the U.S. Department of War to ready “possible action,” warning that the U.S. military might intervene in Nigeria if the government did not act, and that all aid to the country would be suspended. He also added, “If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!”
Earlier, Trump had declared Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” due to what he termed an “existential threat” to its Christian population, claiming thousands have been killed, though without providing evidence. This designation by the U.S. State Department is typically applied to countries engaging in severe violations of religious freedom, potentially leading to sanctions.
Following Trump’s announcement, President Tinubu emphasized his government’s commitment to collaborating with the U.S. and the international community to safeguard all religious communities. He stated, “The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality.”
Insurgent groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province have caused widespread devastation in northeastern Nigeria for over a decade, resulting in thousands of deaths. According to Acled, an organization that tracks political violence globally, the majority of these victims have been Muslims. Additionally, conflicts between primarily Muslim herders and predominantly Christian farming communities over resources are frequent in central Nigeria. While cycles of retaliatory attacks have led to numerous fatalities on both sides, human rights organizations report no evidence of Christians being disproportionately targeted.
Trump has often highlighted his administration’s avoidance of new wars, portraying himself as a president who brokered peace. Nevertheless, he is facing increasing pressure from various voices, particularly on the political right, to address the situation in Nigeria.
Additional reporting by Chris Ewokor in Abuja