Trump orders War Department to ready strike plans for Nigeria

United States President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Nigeria, saying the U.S. may launch military action against what he described as “Islamic Terrorists” responsible for the killing of Christians in the country. In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria. We 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. 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 president’s Saturday message follows his earlier announcement that Nigeria would be placed on a U.S. watchlist for religious freedom violations. Trump said the country would be added to the Department of State’s list of “Countries of Particular Concern,” citing what he described as ongoing attacks against Christians. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has long been divided between a predominantly Muslim north and a largely Christian south. Violence linked to Islamist insurgents, including the group Boko Haram and its offshoot Islamic State West Africa Province, has plagued the country for over a decade, leading to mass displacement and widespread insecurity. As reported by international agencies, attacks in Nigeria’s northern and central regions have claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions since 2009. While the government in Abuja maintains that it is taking steps to combat terrorism, President Trump’s remarks suggest growing frustration in Washington over the country’s handling of religious violence. In a previous statement, Trump said that Nigerian authorities have “allowed the slaughter of Christians” and warned that continued inaction could have consequences. His latest comments go further, raising the possibility of U.S. military involvement—a move that would represent a major escalation in American engagement in West Africa. Nigeria’s government has consistently denied that the violence is driven primarily by religion. Officials in Abuja argue that most clashes are rooted in disputes over land, water, and access to grazing areas between Christian farmers and Muslim herders. They also contend that the government is equally committed to protecting all citizens, regardless of faith. Still, Trump’s statement appears to link the violence directly to religious persecution, suggesting that the administration views the situation as part of a broader global concern over attacks on Christian communities. If the U.S. were to suspend aid or intervene militarily, it could alter the balance of relations between Washington and Abuja, which have traditionally centered on counterterrorism cooperation, economic assistance, and energy trade. Nigeria has been a key partner in regional security efforts and receives U.S. support in intelligence, training, and humanitarian relief.