Washington, DC – 3 November 2025
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has publicly appealed to President Donald Trump to provide military assistance to Nigeria, describing the ongoing violence against Christians in the country as “religious genocide” perpetrated by groups such as Boko Haram.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Graham wrote: “I hope that President Trump will provide military assistance to prevent the further slaughter of Christians in Nigeria. This is religious genocide. Boko Haram and other radical Islamic groups in the region pose a threat to humanity, not just to Africa.”
He continued, emphasising the severity of the situation: “The level of depravity and barbaric behaviour is beyond description. President Trump would serve the world well by protecting the innocent from out of control violence. This is a worthy cause for our men and women in uniform.”
Graham’s call comes amid escalating rhetoric from the White House, where President Trump has already directed the Pentagon to prepare for potential military action if Nigeria fails to curb the killings of Christians. Trump announced the immediate halt of all US aid to Nigeria, labelling it a “disgraced country” and warning of a “fast, vicious, and sweet” intervention. He has re-designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for religious freedom violations, a status it held during his first term but was lifted under the Biden administration.
The president’s statements have drawn support from other Republicans, including Senator Ted Cruz, who introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025. The proposed legislation would impose sanctions on Nigerian officials accused of enabling jihadist violence or enforcing blasphemy laws against non-Muslims. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has affirmed that preparations are underway, stating the US cannot tolerate the ongoing atrocities.
However, Nigerian officials have firmly rejected the allegations of religious intolerance. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu asserted that the country upholds constitutional protections for religious freedom and is committed to combating extremism. The Nigerian Foreign Ministry expressed a desire to preserve strong ties with the US while defending its sovereignty.
The violence in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has been a longstanding issue. Extremist groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province have killed tens of thousands since 2009, with many victims being Muslims. Data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) project shows that between 2020 and 2025, there were at least 389 attacks on Christians resulting in 318 deaths, alongside 197 attacks on Muslims claiming over 400 lives. Experts argue that much of the conflict stems from land disputes between herders and farmers, exacerbated by population growth and climate change, rather than purely religious motives.
Trump’s threats have sparked debate over the accuracy of claims regarding a targeted “Christian genocide.” While the president described an “existential threat” to Christians, analysts point out that the violence is often indiscriminate, affecting multiple communities. Nonetheless, advocacy groups and some US lawmakers, including Graham, maintain that Christians are disproportionately affected and that international intervention is justified.
With three years remaining in his term, Trump faces pressure to act decisively on global human rights issues. Graham concluded his statement by urging the president to fulfil his mandate by protecting vulnerable populations: “President Trump has three years left in his term to do as much good as he can. Protecting Christians in Nigeria would be fulfilling that mandate.”
The situation underscores ongoing tensions in US-Nigeria relations, with potential implications for West African stability and American foreign policy in the region.
