United States President Donald Trump has warned that he may authorise air strikes or deploy troops to Nigeria as part of his plan to “completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists killing Christians” in the country.
Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said the U.S. could no longer afford to “look the other way” while what he described as a “Christian genocide” unfolds in Nigeria.
“They are killing record numbers of Christians in Nigeria. It’s also bad in other countries, you know that,” he said. “They are killing Christians in very large numbers. We are not going to allow that to happen.”
Trump, who recently redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), said the U.S. was considering “all options” including air strikes and ground deployment.
Asked directly if he envisaged boots on the ground or aerial bombardments, Trump replied, “Yes, there could be.”
The U.S. president warned that the Nigerian government “better move fast,” or risk losing all American aid and facing “a fast, vicious and sweet” response from Washington.
Trump said, “We will unleash the Department of War on Nigeria, just like the terrorist thugs that attack our cherished Christians. It will be fast, vicious and sweet.”
His remarks come amid growing tension between both countries following U.S. claims of religious persecution in Nigeria, an accusation the Nigerian government has consistently denied.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reacting earlier this month, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom and national unity.
“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” Tinubu said in a statement on November 1. “Our administration maintains open engagement with both Christian and Muslim leaders to address security challenges affecting all citizens.”
He described the U.S. claims as a misrepresentation of Nigeria’s diverse and tolerant reality. “The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” Tinubu added. “Religious freedom and tolerance have always been part of our identity and shall remain so.”
Meanwhile, presidential aide Daniel Bwala disclosed that Tinubu and Trump are expected to meet “in the coming days” to discuss the allegations and strengthen diplomatic ties.
