Trump Threatens Military Action in Nigeria Over Alleged 'Christian Genocide'

Former President Trump Issues Strong Warning to Nigeria

Former US President Donald Trump has issued a series of strong statements threatening military intervention in Nigeria, alleging a 'killing of Christians' that he characterized as a 'Christian genocide.' These pronouncements, made in late October and early November 2025, have drawn significant international attention and sparked a diplomatic exchange between the two nations.

On October 31, 2025, Trump designated Nigeria a 'country of particular concern' (CPC) under the US International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. Following this, he utilized social media platforms, including Truth Social, to assert that 'Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria' and that 'radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter.' Trump further escalated his threats, indicating a potential cessation of aid to Nigeria and declaring that the United States '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 reportedly instructed the Pentagon and the Department of War to prepare for possible military action, which could include ground operations and air strikes. His War Secretary, Pete Hegseth, publicly supported these threats, stating, 'Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.'

Nigerian Government Rejects Accusations

In response to Trump's accusations, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu swiftly pushed back against the claims. On November 1, 2025, President Tinubu stated via social media that 'Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it. Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths.' Nigerian officials have consistently dismissed the charges, asserting that there is no Christian persecution and that Trump's characterization misrepresents a complex reality. While the Nigerian government has expressed openness to assistance in combating insurgent groups, it has firmly opposed any unilateral military intervention.

Expert Analysis Challenges 'Genocide' Narrative

The 'Christian genocide' narrative promoted by Trump has been widely refuted by experts and analysts. Bulama Bukarti, a Nigerian humanitarian lawyer and analyst on conflict and development, described the designation as 'dangerous' and 'overly simplistic,' stating that 'All the data reveals is that there is no Christian genocide going on in Nigeria.' Experts highlight that the violence in Nigeria affects both Muslims and Christians, with data indicating that a majority of victims of jihadist groups are, in fact, Muslim.

According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), nearly 53,000 Muslims and Christians were killed in targeted political violence in Nigeria between 2009 and 2025. However, ACLED's 2022 report indicated that violence explicitly targeting Christians based on religion accounted for only 5% of reported civilian-targeting events, despite Christians comprising approximately 50% of Nigeria's population. The violence is often attributed to a complex interplay of factors including poverty, power struggles, and land disputes, rather than solely religious persecution. Nigeria, with a population of 220 million, is almost evenly divided between its Muslim-majority north and largely Christian south.

Ongoing Security Challenges in Nigeria

Nigeria has faced persistent security challenges, including a long history of Christian-Muslim strife dating back to 1953. The country continues to grapple with the Boko Haram insurgency, which seeks to establish an Islamic state, as well as a recent surge in church attacks and kidnappings, particularly in central Nigeria. Both jihadist groups and criminal gangs are involved in these acts of violence and abduction.