U.S. President Donald Trump has once again stirred controversy after suggesting that the United States may take military action in Nigeria over what he called “the killing of record numbers of Christians.”
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, November 2, Trump said he had asked the Department of Defense to prepare for “possible action” in response to reports of violence against Christians.
When asked if that could mean U.S. troops or airstrikes, Trump replied, “Could be. I mean, other things. They’re killing record numbers of Christians in Nigeria. They’re killing the Christians and killing them in very large numbers. We’re not going to allow that to happen.”
His remarks came a day after he posted on Truth Social, warning that Washington could cut off all aid to Nigeria and might even take direct military action.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and may go into that now disgraced country ‘guns blazing’ to wipe out the Islamic terrorists committing these atrocities,” Trump wrote.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth backed Trump’s comments, saying, “Yes sir. The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria and anywhere must end immediately. Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will act.”
In response, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu defended Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom and urged the U.S. to avoid making hasty conclusions.
“The idea that Nigeria is religiously intolerant does not reflect our reality,” Tinubu said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Our government continues to work to ensure freedom of religion and belief for all Nigerians. Religious tolerance is a core part of our national identity.”
