Trump orders Pentagon to “prepare for possible action” over persecution of Christians in Nigeria

President Trump threatened to stop all aid to Nigeria and has instructed the Pentagon to "prepare for possible action" in the West African country, accusing the country's government of allegedly failing to rein in the persecution of Christians, CBS reports.

In a post on Truth Social Mr. Trump accused the Nigerian government for a second-straight day of not doing enough to prevent the killings of Christians. He threatened that the U.S. "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."

"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!" Mr. Trump wrote.

In a post in response to Mr. Trump's statement, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote, "Yes sir."

"The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria — and anywhere — must end immediately. The Department of War is preparing for action," Hegseth wrote. "Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities."

The Nigerian government has vehemently rejected the claims, and analysts say that while Christians are among those targeted, the majority of victims of armed groups are Muslims in Nigeria's Muslim-majority north, where most attacks occur.

Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said on social media that the characterization of Nigeria as a religiously intolerant country does not reflect the national reality.

The warning of possible military action follows an announcement on Friday that he would designate Nigeria "a country of particular concern" as it relates to religious freedom, a move that had been pushed by some U.S. lawmakers.

"Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria," Mr. Trump said in a social media post. "Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a 'COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN.'"

"The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other Countries. We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the World!" Mr. Trump said.

Designating a "country of particular concern" under the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act is an executive prerogative that normally follows recommendations from both the congressionally mandated U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and the State Department.

The State Department usually releases its annual Report on International Religious Freedom in the spring, but has not yet done so this year. The report may or may not include "particular concern" designations, which can be done at any time. And, such designations, which authorize U.S. penalties, do not necessarily impose sanctions.

Nigeria was first placed on the "country of particular concern" list by the U.S. in 2020 in what the State Department called "systematic violations of religious freedom."

Trump’s comment came weeks after the US senator Ted Cruz urged Congress to designate Africa’s most populous country a violater of religious freedom with claims of “Christian mass murder”, ‘The Guardian’ notes.

Nigeria’s population of 220 million people is split almost equally between Christians and Muslims. The country has long faced insecurity from various fronts including the Boko Haram extremist group, which seeks to establish its radical interpretation of Islamic law and has also targeted Muslims it deems not Muslim enough.

Attacks in Nigeria have varying motives. There are religiously motivated attacks targeting both Christians and Muslims, clashes between farmers and herders over dwindling resources, communal rivalries, secessionist groups and ethnic clashes.

While Christians are among those targeted, analysts say the majority of victims of armed groups are Muslims in Nigeria’s Muslim-majority north, where most attacks occur.

Kimiebi Ebienfa, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reiterated the commitment of Nigeria to protect citizens of all religions.

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