US President Donald Trump has ordered the preparation of plans for military action in Nigeria to tackle Islamist militant groups, accusing the government of not doing enough to halt the killing of Christians.
Trump did not specify which killings he was referring to, but claims of a genocide against Nigeria's Christians have circulated recently among some right-wing U.S. groups.
Reports indicate that there is no substantial evidence suggesting that Christians are being killed more than Muslims in Nigeria, which has a roughly even religious demographic.
The Nigerian government's response to the potential threat of U.S. military action has yet to be seen. President Bola Tinubu has stated that religious tolerance exists in Nigeria and that security challenges affect people of all faiths.
In a social media post, Trump declared that he instructed the US Department of War to prepare for possible action in Nigeria, warning he might send the military in “guns-a-blazing” if the Nigerian government fails to act.
After declaring Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern for its treatment of Christians, Trump cited “thousands” of deaths without providing evidence to support this claim. This designation, issued by the U.S. State Department, allows for sanctions against countries violating religious freedoms.
President Tinubu has committed to collaborative efforts with the U.S. and international bodies to protect communities of all faiths, asserting that characterizations of Nigeria as intolerant do not reflect its reality.
Jihadist groups such as Boko Haram continue to wreak havoc in northeastern Nigeria, with many victims being Muslims. Conflicts often arise between predominantly Muslim herders and Christian farming communities, leading to a cycle of violence.
Historically, Trump has positioned himself as a peacemaker, having avoided military entanglements during his administration. However, increasing pressure from the political right has shifted focus onto Nigeria’s religious violence.
