In a dramatic escalation, US President Donald Trump has ordered the Defense Department to prepare for possible military action against Nigeria, citing alleged violence against Christians in the West African nation. Trump’s move comes despite Nigeria’s repeated denials of such claims, sparking tensions between the two nations.
According to reports, Trump instructed the Pentagon to map out a plan for potential military action, warning that the US would “immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria” if the government fails to stem the alleged violence. Trump’s post on Truth Social was stark: “If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and 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.”
The situation is complex, with Nigeria’s government pushing back against Trump’s claims. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has defended his country’s efforts to protect religious freedom, stating that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion for all citizens. The Nigerian government has also vowed to continue fighting against violent extremism. The controversy surrounding Trump’s claims.
Trump’s accusations mirror language pushed by right-wing lawmakers, which frames Nigeria’s conflicts as a case of radical Islamists attacking Christians. However, experts argue that this framing is largely inaccurate, pointing to the complex nature of Nigeria’s conflicts, which involve disputes over resources, ethnicity, and religion.
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has urged the US government to designate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” citing persecution of both Christians and Muslims. Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” has raised concerns about potential sanctions and further strained relations between the two nations.
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