Trump has warned that the U.S. could carry out further military strikes in Nigeria if
United States President Donald Trump has warned that the U.S. could carry out further military strikes in Nigeria if attacks against Christians continue. The warning, made during an interview with The New York Times, has triggered fresh diplomatic and security concerns in Abuja and across the country.
Trump’s remarks come weeks after U.S. forces conducted airstrikes against Islamic State-linked militants in parts of northwest Nigeria. U.S. officials said the operation targeted terrorist camps and was carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities as part of ongoing counter-terrorism cooperation.
Trump, however, framed the warning around religious violence, insisting that Christians are being deliberately targeted. He suggested that future U.S. military action would depend on whether such attacks persist, a position that has generated controversy within Nigeri
The U.S. president said additional American strikes in Nigeria remain possible if killings of Christians do not stop. He described the previous U.S. strike as a warning and indicated that future actions could follow if violence continues.
The statement has raised questions about U.S. intentions, Nigeria’s sovereignty, and the broader framing of insecurity in the country
The Nigerian government has rejected claims that Christians are being systematically persecuted, stressing that terrorism and banditry affect both Christians and Muslims.
Officials in Abuja have emphasized that groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) target civilians indiscriminately and that Nigeria’s security challenges are complex, criminal, and ideological rather than purely religious.
The federal government has also reaffirmed its commitment to working with international partners, including the United States, while maintaining that all security operations must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and constitutional order.
The December U.S. airstrikes were reportedly aimed at Islamic State-affiliated militants responsible for attacks on civilians and security forces. Nigerian authorities confirmed cooperation but denied that the strikes were directed at any religious group.
Security agencies later warned residents in affected areas to avoid debris from the strikes, citing the risk of unexploded ordnance.
Nigeria continues to face persistent insecurity, particularly in the North, where insurgency, banditry, and kidnappings remain major challenges. Recent attacks on military formations have further underscored the scale of the problem.
Analysts warn that framing Nigeria’s security crisis along religious lines could worsen tensions and undermine efforts at national unity
The renewed U.S. warning places pressure on Nigerian authorities to intensify counter-terrorism efforts while managing diplomatic relations with Washington.
For policymakers, the situation highlights the need to balance foreign security cooperation with national sovereignty, protect all citizens regardless of religion, and prevent the politicization of Nigeria’s security challenges.
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