U.S. President Donald Trump has stirred global debate after suggesting that the United States could deploy troops or conduct air strikes in Nigeria to halt what he described as “the killing of record numbers of Christians.”
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, November 2, Trump said he had instructed the Department of Defense to “prepare for possible action” in response to ongoing reports of attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria.
When asked whether he envisioned American boots on the ground, Trump replied, “Could be. I envisage a lot of things. They’re killing record numbers of Christians in Nigeria … We’re not going to allow that to happen.”
His comments came a day after he posted a strongly worded statement on Truth Social, warning that Washington might cut all aid to Nigeria and consider direct military intervention.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid 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 wrote.
In a response that further escalated global attention, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth replied to Trump’s post, saying:
“Yes sir. The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria and anywhere must end immediately. The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic terrorists committing these atrocities.”
The remarks have drawn strong reactions in diplomatic circles, with observers warning that such statements could strain U.S.-Nigeria relations and heighten tensions across West Africa.
Responding on Monday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom and tolerance, rejecting what he described as a “mischaracterization” of the country’s internal situation.
“The characterization of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” Tinubu said in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter). “Religious freedom and tolerance have been core tenets of our national identity and shall always remain so.”
Nigeria’s government has yet to issue a formal diplomatic protest, but sources close to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs say consultations are ongoing regarding a possible official response to Washington.
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