Washington, 2 November 2025 – US President Donald Trump has issued a vehement warning to the Nigerian government, threatening to immediately cease all aid and potentially deploy American forces “guns-a-blazing” if alleged killings of Christians in the country are not halted. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused Nigeria of allowing Islamic terrorists to commit atrocities against Christians and instructed what he referred to as the “Department of War” to prepare for possible intervention.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. 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,” Trump wrote on 1 November. He added: “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! WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!”
The statement marks an escalation in Trump’s rhetoric towards Nigeria, where violence involving jihadist groups such as Boko Haram and Fulani militants has long been a concern. According to the advocacy group Open Doors, Nigeria ranks as one of the most dangerous countries for Christians, with escalating jihadist attacks targeting believers in the northern and central regions. Global Christian Relief has described Nigeria as the “Christian Murder Capital,” citing widespread persecution including kidnappings, killings, and church burnings. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has also highlighted attacks on Christians in its reports, noting over 100,000 deaths since 2009 in related violence.
Trump’s post follows recent calls from US politicians, including Congressman Riley Moore, who applauded the president’s decision to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) due to ongoing religious persecutions. Moore had previously urged the Secretary of State to reinstate the CPC status, emphasising the alarming situation for Christians.
However, the Nigerian government has strongly rejected Trump’s allegations. President Bola Tinubu’s administration described the claims as unfounded and pushed back against the portrayal of widespread slaughter of Christians. In a statement, Nigerian officials refuted the idea of systematic killings, asserting that the country is addressing security challenges affecting all citizens regardless of faith. The BBC reported that Nigeria views the accusations as an exaggeration, with the government denying any existential threat to Christians.
Expert opinions on the potential US intervention are mixed. Advocacy groups like Release International have documented personal stories of persecution, including survivors forgiving their attackers amid fears of escalating violence. However, some analysts argue that claims of “Christian genocide” are overstated. In an opinion piece, Al Jazeera contended that while violence exists, it is often rooted in ethnic and resource conflicts rather than purely religious motives, and does not constitute genocide. International relations experts, as noted in a CSIS analysis, highlight the broader challenges for US-Africa policy under Trump, suggesting that military action could complicate diplomatic relations and regional stability.
The Pentagon has not yet commented on Trump’s directive to prepare for action, which he referred to under the unconventional “Department of War” moniker, potentially signalling a rhetorical shift from the traditional Department of Defence. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, receives significant US aid for health, education, and security programmes, and any cessation could have profound humanitarian implications.
As tensions rise, observers are watching for further responses from both governments amid ongoing debates over religious freedom and international intervention.
