U. S. President Donald Trump announced the possibility of quick military action against Nigeria if the country does not address the killing of Christians.
U. S. President Donald Trump announced the possibility of quick military action against Nigeria if the country does not address the killing of Christians. He stated that the U. S. would stop all aid to Nigeria, which is the most populous country in Africa and a leading oil producer. Trump claimed that if U. S. forces were sent, they would aggressively eliminate the Islamic terrorists responsible for these atrocities, although he did not provide evidence of specific incidents involving Christians. He criticized Nigeria as a “disgraced country” and urged its government to act swiftly to protect Christians.
There was no immediate response from Nigeria’s government or the White House regarding Trump’s military threat. U. S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth supported Trump’s stance, emphasizing the need for action against those committing violence. Trump’s comments followed the re-inclusion of Nigeria on the U. S. “Countries of Particular Concern” list due to religious freedom violations.
In response, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu defended his country’s commitment to religious freedom and rejected the notion of widespread intolerance. He emphasized that Nigeria’s efforts to protect all religious beliefs are sincere and backed by constitutional guarantees. The Nigerian Foreign Ministry also expressed its commitment to fighting violent extremism and maintaining a strong alliance with the U. S.
Trump previously designated Nigeria as a country of concern during his first term but was removed from the list by President Biden in 2021. Recently, Trump claimed that “thousands of Christians” have been killed by radical Islamists but did not provide specific details. Nigeria has a diverse population with various ethnic groups practicing different religions. While there have been instances of violence, often linked to ethnic tensions and resource conflicts, many Boko Haram victims have also been Muslims.
Lawmakers, including Republican Representative Tom Cole, praised Trump’s actions and highlighted the ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The recent designation allows for potential U. S. policy responses, such as sanctions, though these are not guaranteed. Religious organizations had previously urged Trump to re-designate Nigeria due to the threats faced by Christians.
With information from Reuters
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