Trump Vows to Punish Nigeria, Orders ‘Department of War’ to Prepare Action Against ‘Islamic Terrorists’
Former US President Donald Trump has threatened to send American troops into Nigeria, warning of “guns-a-blazing” military action if the country fails to stop what he called the massacre of Christians by Islamist militants.
In a fiery post on Truth Social on Saturday, Trump said:
“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.”
He added that he had instructed the “Department of War” to prepare for possible intervention, declaring:
“If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet.”
The comments came just a day after Trump branded Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” accusing the West African nation of allowing a “mass slaughter” of Christians.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” he wrote, urging lawmakers to investigate the crisis.
Trump said he had directed Congressman Riley Moore and House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole to “look deeply into the killings” and ensure that the United States “does not stand by while such atrocities are happening.”
Responding swiftly, President Bola Tinubu dismissed Trump’s claims, insisting Nigeria remains a nation of religious tolerance and freedom.
In a personally signed statement on Saturday, Tinubu said:
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it recognise government efforts to safeguard freedom of religion and belief.”
He stressed that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees the rights of all faiths and that his administration has maintained “open engagement” with both Christian and Muslim leaders since taking office in 2023.
“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so,” he said.
Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to work with the United States and the international community to protect communities across all faiths.
“Our administration is committed to working with the U.S. government and international partners to deepen cooperation on protecting citizens of all beliefs,” he added.