President Trump’s threat to deploy troops to Nigeria triggers diplomatic response as President Tinubu reaffirms commitment to religious freedom.
The Defence Department of the US, which President Donald Trump recently renamed the Department of War, says it is “preparing for action” in Nigeria following reports of attacks on Christians.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth made this known in a post on X (formerly Twitter) in response to President Trump’s statement on Saturday night that the US would halt aid to Nigeria and deploy troops to “completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists” allegedly killing Christians in the country.
“The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria and anywhere must end immediately. The Department of War is preparing for action.
Either the Nigerian government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Hegseth wrote.
President Trump’s statement came after the US designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern”, accusing the government of failing to protect religious minorities, a claim that has been widely criticized as false.
Nigeria Rejects Genocide Allegations
Reacting to Trump’s comments, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dismissed the genocide claim, stating that such portrayals do not reflect Nigeria’s true reality.
“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so,” Tinubu said.
He stressed that Nigeria upholds the constitutional right to religious liberty and does not promote intolerance of any kind.
Foreign Affairs Ministry Speaks
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling violent extremism and insecurity, particularly across the West African and Sahel regions.
“Nigeria is committed to addressing violent extremism fueled by special interests that have driven decay and division in several countries,” the ministry stated.
Pressure From US Lawmakers
The US designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” followed months of pressure from some Republican lawmakers who accused the Nigerian government of allowing the persecution of Christians.
However, independent conflict monitors and analysts have debunked those claims, noting that most victims of insurgent violence in northern Nigeria are Muslims. Experts also emphasize that recurring clashes between herders and farmers in the central region are often over land and resources, not religion.
Why It Matters
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, continues to battle terrorism, banditry, and communal violence driven largely by economic hardship and environmental stress.
Observers warn that Trump’s comments, if escalated, could strain US–Nigeria relations and deepen religious sensitivities.
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