US President Donald Trump has threatened military action against Nigeria, declaring that he has instructed the Pentagon to prepare plans to protect Christian communities following a series of violent attacks in the country’s north.
A fiery warning to Abuja
Speaking at a campaign rally in Texas, Trump said he was “tired of watching innocent Christians being slaughtered while the world does nothing.” He claimed that his administration was exploring “all options,” including direct military intervention, to stop what he described as “targeted religious persecution.” The president did not specify the nature or scope of any potential operation, nor did he reference the complex ethnic and sectarian dynamics behind the violence.
Selective outrage draws criticism
While Trump’s remarks were welcomed by segments of the US evangelical community, critics accused him of using Nigeria’s fragile security situation for political gain. Observers noted that the president made no mention of the widespread persecution of Muslims and other groups by armed militias, including the Islamic State-affiliated Boko Haram and local vigilante factions. Analysts warned that framing the conflict purely in religious terms risked inflaming tensions further.
Nigeria’s government responds cautiously
In Abuja, Nigerian officials expressed “serious concern” over Trump’s comments but stopped short of issuing a formal rebuke. A senior foreign ministry source said the government remained open to dialogue with Washington but “would not tolerate any unilateral military action on Nigerian soil.” The Nigerian army, already stretched by counter-insurgency operations in Borno and Kaduna states, has faced criticism for failing to protect rural communities from escalating inter-communal violence.
Pentagon remains non-committal
Defence officials in Washington confirmed that preliminary discussions had taken place but emphasised that “no operational directives” had been issued. One senior Pentagon spokesperson described Trump’s remarks as “political rather than procedural,” adding that any intervention in Nigeria would require congressional approval and coordination with allies.
A volatile mix of faith and politics
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, remains deeply divided along religious and ethnic lines. Experts warn that American intervention rhetoric could strengthen extremist narratives and complicate regional peace efforts. As one West African diplomat commented, “What Nigeria needs is support for governance and reconciliation, not gunboats.”
Newshub Editorial in Africa – 2 November 2025
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