By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Trump Hints at Possible US Military Strike in Nigeria, Citing Christian Killings
Tension is rising between Abuja and Washington as U.S. President Donald Trump has once again threatened possible military action in Nigeria, citing the alleged killing of Christians in the country.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said ground operations or air strikes could form part of a U.S. response if Nigeria fails to curb what he described as “mass killings” of Christians.
“Could be, I mean, a lot of things, I envisage a lot of things,” he told journalists when asked if he was considering direct U.S. intervention. “They’re killing the Christians and killing them in very large numbers. We’re not going to allow that to happen.”
His remarks followed an earlier post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, where he revealed he had directed the Pentagon to prepare a plan of attack in Nigeria. In that post, Trump claimed Christianity was “facing an existential threat” in Africa’s most populous nation.
“If Nigeria does not stem the killings, the United States will attack — and it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians,” he wrote.
The statement sparked diplomatic reactions from Abuja. Presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala told AFP on Sunday that Nigeria remains a key U.S. ally in the global fight against terrorism and would welcome support that respects its sovereignty.
“Nigeria welcomes U.S. support to fight terrorism as long as it respects our territorial integrity,” Bwala said, adding that Trump’s statement may have been a way of prompting dialogue between the two nations.
“We do not see the post in a literal sense,” he explained. “Donald Trump has his own style of communication, and perhaps he intends to force a sit-down between both leaders to find common ground on insecurity.”
Bwala also hinted at a possible meeting between President Bola Tinubu and Trump “in the coming days,” though he declined to disclose details.
The controversy began on Friday when Trump alleged that “thousands of Christians are being killed” in Nigeria by “radical Islamists,” accusations the Nigerian government has firmly denied.
In response, President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s religious balance and commitment to freedom of belief.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” Tinubu said, stressing that Nigeria stands as a democracy that guarantees freedom of religion.
The exchange marks a new test in Nigeria, U.S. relations, coming at a time when Nigeria continues to battle terrorism, banditry, and religious extremism, challenges that have shaped both its internal security landscape and its global image.
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