Nigeria faces growing unease after U.S. President Donald Trump warned of possible military action over alleged Christian persecution. On Sunday, Nigerians awoke to reports that Trump had ordered the Pentagon to plan potential intervention. In his post, Trump wrote, “If the Nigerian government continues to allow Christians to be killed, the U.S.A. will stop all aid and may enter that country ‘guns-a-blazing’ to eliminate terrorists.”
He added, “I have instructed our Department of War to prepare for action. If we strike, it will be fast, fierce, and decisive.” The Nigerian government immediately rejected the idea of any foreign military involvement. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said he was open to discussing counterterrorism efforts but insisted that cooperation must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Nigeria Pushes Back Against U.S. Intervention
Tinubu posted on X that describing Nigeria as religiously intolerant “does not reflect reality.” His spokesperson, Daniel Bwala, called Trump’s message a “negotiating tactic,” noting that both countries already share intelligence and cooperate on counterinsurgency operations.
Human rights reports show Nigeria’s security crisis remains severe. Amnesty International stated in May that jihadist attacks have killed more than 10,000 people since Tinubu took office. Analysts argue the violence is not purely religious. With roughly equal populations of Christians and Muslims, Nigeria suffers attacks from many fronts, especially Boko Haram and affiliated groups that also target Muslims deemed insufficiently devout.
Some Christian groups, however, believe the crisis specifically targets them. Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo insisted a “massacre” against Christians continues, accusing the government of downplaying the problem. Advocacy groups such as Open Doors and International Christian Concern reported over 7,000 Christian deaths in 2025 alone.
Resource Interests Fuel Political Suspicion
Trump’s remarks have triggered debate about America’s true motives. Weeks earlier, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz urged Congress to classify Nigeria as a violator of religious freedom. While some Nigerians support possible U.S. involvement, others fear deeper intentions tied to Nigeria’s rare earth and mineral wealth.
Broadcaster Cyril Abaku argued that U.S. help could strengthen security, saying, “Terrorism is global now, and our people need protection.” Yet analysts warn that Nigeria’s deposits of lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, and neodymium—essential for weapons, renewable energy, and electric vehicles—could attract foreign exploitation disguised as humanitarian action.
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore countered, “Nigeria doesn’t need a foreign savior. It needs accountable leadership that protects citizens and ends corruption.” The U.S. previously listed Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” in 2020 for religious freedom violations, though it did not cite Christian persecution specifically.
Nigeria now stands at a crossroads—balancing global pressure, domestic division, and the enduring question of whether foreign intervention brings protection or peril.
