WASHINGTON, USA — U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the Department of War to prepare for “possible action” in Nigeria, escalating diplomatic tensions after accusing the West African nation of failing to stop attacks on Christians.
In a post on Truth Social late Saturday, November 2, 2025, Trump warned that the United States could cut off all aid to Nigeria and launch a military intervention if the government in Abuja does not, in his words, act swiftly to end the “killing of Christians”.
“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.
“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 remarks came a day after Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” (CPC) — a classification under U.S. law reserved for nations accused of serious violations of religious freedom.
Trump cited what he called a “Christian genocide” in the country, laying blame on “radical Islamists”.
President Bola Tinubu swiftly rejected the CPC designation and the allegations of religious persecution, saying Nigeria remains a multi-faith democracy committed to religious liberty.
In an earlier response to the redesignation, Tinubu said Nigeria “remains a democracy anchored on constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion and belief,” and that claims of a government-sanctioned genocide were “unfounded”.
Nigeria has been grappling with deadly violence in several regions — including Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast, banditry in the northwest, and farmer-herder clashes in central states — but officials maintain that victims cut across religious and ethnic lines.
Trump’s threat marks a significant escalation in rhetoric, raising questions about the future of U.S.-Nigeria relations and the potential for diplomatic fallout.
While the U.S. has previously provided counter-terrorism assistance to Nigeria, an explicit threat of direct military intervention is unprecedented in recent bilateral relations.
Nigeria’s government has yet to respond formally to Trump’s latest comments.
Diplomats and analysts say the exchange could heighten political pressure in Abuja while complicating military cooperation between the two countries, which historically includes intelligence sharing and arms support.
As Nigeria prepares a response, regional leaders and international observers will be watching closely for signs of further deterioration — or an attempt at de-escalation — between two strategic partners in the global fight against extremism.
