Trump Threatens Military Action in Nigeria Over Alleged Christian Persecution, Tinubu Responds
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened possible U.S. military action in Nigeria, accusing the Tinubu administration of failing to protect Christians. The Nigerian government strongly denies the claim, reaffirming its commitment to religious freedom.
Trump Orders Pentagon to “Prepare for Possible ActionU.S. President Donald Trump has announced that he has directed the Pentagon to begin planning potential military action in Nigeria, accusing the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of failing to curb what he described as the persecution of Christians.
In a fiery post shared on social media, Trump declared:
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA 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!”
His statement marks one of the most aggressive foreign policy remarks made by the former president since leaving office.
Tinubu Fires Back: “Nigeria Is a Nation of Religious Tolerance”
In a swift response, President Bola Tinubu dismissed Trump’s comments as a misrepresentation of Nigeria’s reality, emphasizing that religious tolerance remains a core value of the nation.
“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so,” Tinubu said in a statement.
“Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it. Our Constitution guarantees protection for citizens of all faiths.”
Background: Renewed U.S. Scrutiny on Nigeria’s Religious Climate
Trump’s remarks follow weeks of lobbying from U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and other lawmakers urging Congress to re-designate Nigeria as a violator of religious freedom, citing alleged “Christian mass killings.”
The United States had first placed Nigeria on its Country of Particular Concern (CPC) list in 2020 under Trump’s administration for what the U.S. State Department called “systematic violations of religious freedom.”
That designation was lifted in 2023 under the Biden administration, a move widely viewed as an attempt to strengthen diplomatic ties ahead of then–Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Abuja.
Nigeria’s Religious and Security Landscape
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation with more than 220 million people, is almost evenly divided between Christians and Muslims.
The country faces multiple layers of insecurity — from Boko Haram insurgency and banditry, to ethnic clashes and farmer-herder conflicts.
While Christian communities have suffered numerous attacks, analysts note that the majority of victims of extremist violence are Muslims, particularly in Nigeria’s northern region where most terrorist activity is concentrated.
Foreign Affairs Ministry Reaffirms Nigeria’s Commitment
Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reiterated that Nigeria remains committed to protecting every citizen regardless of religious affiliation.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria will continue to defend all citizens, irrespective of race, creed, or religion,” Ebienfa said.
“Like America, Nigeria celebrates diversity as its greatest strength.”
International analysts have cautioned that Trump’s comments could strain U.S.–Nigeria relations and fuel diplomatic tension between the two countries.
They urged both nations to engage through dialogue rather than rhetoric that could inflame religious or political divisions.
