by Kandiss Edwards
November 2, 2025
Trump claims there is an increase in Islamic terrorism targeting Christians in the county.
Donald Trump has ordered the US Department of Defense to prepare for a possible military operation in Nigeria.
Trump claims there is an increase in Islamic terrorism This is aimed at Christians in Nigeria. He has threatened to cut off US aid to the oil-rich country. Additionally, the octogenarian leader says he is considering invading the country “with guns blazing.”
In a post making the rounds on social mediaTrump said he had ordered the Defense Department to make preparations for “swift” attacks, saying that would happen if Nigeria continued to allow the killing of Christians.
“The US will immediately cease all aid and support to Nigeria and may well move into this now-disgraced country to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these terrible atrocities,” the post said.
Trump then gives an open order to the Department of Defense (DOD), which Trump calls the War Department, to begin preparations.
“I hereby direct our War Department to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be swift, vicious and sweet.”
The Nigerian government quickly responded to Trump's claims. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu released a statement reaffirming the country's status as a democracy committed to religious freedom.
“The characterization of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into account the government's consistent and sincere efforts to protect freedom of religion and belief for all Nigerians. Religious freedom and tolerance have been and will always remain a core tenet of our collective identity. Nigeria rejects and does not encourage religious persecution,” Tinubu wrote.
Statement by President Bola Tinubu on the falsely justified, politically motivated speech by the President of the United States of America. pic.twitter.com/CHFMGwFtWM
– The Asiju SALAM Theeed from SLAM 🇳🇳 (@@@AheedOlaSalami) November 1, 2025
Trump's move follows the State Department's designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” for religious freedom violations.
This comes as Nigeria battles an Islamist insurgency, particularly in the northeast. Extremist groups such as Boko Haram have reportedly been active in the region for more than 15 years. However, there is no data to suggest that Christians are a key target of violence in the country, AP reported. While U.S. officials blame the attack on Christians, analysts point out that many victims of the violence in Nigeria are actually Muslims.
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