Washington, 2 November 2025 – In a bold escalation of US rhetoric towards Nigeria, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth has warned that American forces are preparing for military action unless the Nigerian government takes immediate steps to protect Christians from attacks by Islamic terrorists.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and vocal advocate for Christian causes, made the statement in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday. Addressing an apparent superior with “Yes sir” – widely interpreted as a reference to President Donald Trump – Hegseth wrote: “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 who are committing these horrible atrocities.”
The post, which included an image of a military briefing map, has garnered millions of views and sparked intense debate online. Supporters, including some Nigerians, praised the stance, with one user claiming the country is “solidly behind this gesture” and accusing Nigerian leaders of complicity in the violence. Critics, however, questioned the selective focus on Christians, pointing out that Muslims have also suffered in the region’s conflicts, and accused the US of hypocrisy in its foreign policy.
Hegseth’s comments follow President Trump’s recent threats to halt all US aid to Nigeria and prepare for potential military intervention, citing an “existential threat” to Christianity in the country. Trump, who redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for religious freedom violations last month, accused “radical Islamists” of orchestrating a “mass slaughter” of Christians. US officials, including Congressman Riley Moore and Senator Ted Cruz, have applauded the move, highlighting reports of over 7,000 Christians killed in Nigeria this year alone – an average of more than 35 per week.
Advocacy groups such as Open Doors and the International Christian Concern have long documented violence against Christians in Nigeria, attributing much of it to militant groups like Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen. These attacks, which often target churches, villages, and worshippers, have displaced thousands and destroyed communities, according to the organisations.
However, the Nigerian government has firmly rejected these allegations, insisting that the violence stems from complex issues such as farmer-herder clashes, resource disputes, and general insecurity rather than targeted religious persecution. President Bola Tinubu pushed back against Trump’s claims earlier on Saturday, emphasising Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom and denying any disproportionate targeting of Christians. Data from independent analyses, including a recent Washington Post report, supports this view, showing that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of the unrest, with no clear evidence of a religiously motivated genocide. The BBC has similarly noted that experts dispute claims of Christians being disproportionately affected.
As of Sunday, Nigerian officials had not issued a direct response to Hegseth’s ultimatum, though sources indicate diplomatic channels are active to de-escalate tensions. The US has provided significant aid to Nigeria in recent years, including military support to combat terrorism, but Trump’s administration has signalled a willingness to withhold funds or deploy forces if demands are not met.
This development risks straining US-Nigeria relations at a time when West Africa faces growing instability from jihadist groups. Analysts warn that any unilateral US action could complicate regional counter-terrorism efforts and draw international condemnation. For now, the world watches as the rhetoric from Washington intensifies, with the fate of vulnerable communities in Nigeria hanging in the balance.
