In a statement that is likely to escalate diplomatic tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled the possibility of additional American military action in Nigeria, specifically citing the protection of Christian communities as a potential trigger.
Speaking in an interview with The New York Times, President Trump referenced the U.S. airstrike carried out in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day, which targeted Islamic State militants in what was described as a joint operation with the Nigerian government. When asked about future strikes, Trump responded, “I’d love to make it a one-time strike... But if they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike.”
The remarks reinforce a stance Trump has taken since late October 2025, when he began warning that Christianity faces an “existential threat” in Nigeria and threatened military intervention over what he claims is the government’s failure to protect Christian communities from violence.
Nigeria, a nation of over 230 million people that is roughly evenly divided between Christians and Muslims, has consistently denied that Christians face systematic persecution. Authorities note that Islamist insurgent groups like Boko Haram and ISIS-affiliated militants have killed thousands of Muslims as well as Christians in the conflict-ridden north.
Following Trump’s previous threats, the Nigerian government stated its intent to work with Washington against militants but firmly rejected framing the conflict along sectarian lines, maintaining that the violence is driven by terrorism, not religious persecution.
The latest comments from the U.S. President are poised to strain relations further, introducing a contentious religious dimension to security cooperation and raising questions about the future scope of American military involvement in the region.
0 Comments