US troops training in Nigeria. Credit: Sergeant Jeremiah Lancer wikimedia.org
President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning of impending military action against Nigeria, accusing the country of failing to curb “Islamic terrorist” attacks against Christians.
The comments, made through his own Truth Social social network, have raised fears of intervention, sanctions and aid cuts, while Nigerian officials have accused him of being politically motivated as a vocal supporter of the Palestinians in the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Trump’s violence comes amid continued religious violence in Nigeria’s northern and mid-belt regions, where non-state actors such as Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen have targeted communities and killed hundreds of people. US leaders have designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern” for religious freedom violations, citing the deaths of between 3,000 and 7,000 Christians, a number they said was unconfirmed but consistent with reports from local aid groups.
President Trump’s harsh ultimatum on religious violence in Nigeria
President Trump’s message was unrelenting: “I have ordered the War Department to prepare for possible intervention. If we attack, it will be as swift, violent, and sweet as the thugs’ attacks on our dear Christians. Warning: Government of Nigeria, act quickly!” He vowed to immediately cut off U.S. aid if persecution continues, calling it an “existential threat” to Christianity in Africa’s most populous country.
This is the second time Nigeria has come under such scrutiny under President Trump. It was previously on the list from 2020 to 2021. The designation could trigger travel bans on officials, cuts in military aid and economic sanctions, and could strain bilateral relations already tested by Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts, which President Trump once praised for delivering “great results” through arms sales.
Nigeria strengthens security measures in response to US pressure
President Bola Tinubu’s administration quickly hit back, rejecting the label as not reflecting Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees of religious freedom. In a pre-emptive move, Tinubu met with military leaders on Thursday to end excuses and demand immediate results to curb the threat.
Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga posted: “President Tinubu anticipated the US orchestrated operation by instructing our military to ‘stay one step ahead of forces threatening the peace of our country.'”
However, reality paints a delicate picture. Christian communities in the Middle Belt have faced devastating attacks, such as the Benue attack in June 2025 that left more than 59 people dead, but experts say most of the victims were Muslims from the Muslim-majority north. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has reported continued failures by the Nigerian military to prevent attacks by armed groups like ISWAP and recommended status to the Chinese Communist Party for “systematic and egregious violations.” Human Rights Watch confirms this, documenting thousands of deaths in conflicts that involve not only religion but also ethnic, land, and banditry.
