Former U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that the United States may launch military attacks against Nigeria if the West African nation’s government fails to stop what he described as widespread persecution of Christians.
In a post shared on his official social media platform on Friday, Trump announced that he had designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” alleging that the Christian population in the country faces “an existential threat.”
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed,” Trump wrote. “If the Nigerian government refuses to protect its Christian citizens, the United States will take strong military action to stop the slaughter.”
The remarks sparked immediate reactions both in Nigeria and abroad, with religious and political leaders calling for restraint and diplomatic engagement rather than threats of force.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has grappled with persistent religious and ethnic tensions, particularly in its northern regions, where extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have targeted Christian communities for years.
However, the Nigerian government has repeatedly maintained that it is committed to protecting all citizens regardless of their faith and has condemned foreign interference in its domestic affairs.
Political analysts say Trump’s comments could heighten diplomatic tensions between Washington and Abuja, especially if they lead to renewed scrutiny of Nigeria’s human rights record.
As of press time, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not issued an official response to Trump’s latest statement.
