Trump warned of possible US military action in Nigeria over killings of Christians, while Abuja said it welcomes US help against insurgents if its sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected.
US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States could deploy troops or carry out air strikes in Nigeria to stop what he described as the killing of large numbers of Christians in the West African nation.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday evening as he returned to Washington after a weekend in Florida, Trump said he had instructed the Defense Department, which he referred to as the “Department of War,” to prepare for possible “fast” military action.
“Could be. I mean, other things. I envisage a lot of things,” Trump said when asked whether he envisioned US troops on the ground or air strikes. “They’re killing record numbers of Christians in Nigeria … They’re killing the Christians and killing them in very large numbers. We’re not going to allow that to happen.”
Earlier on Friday, Trump threatened to halt aid to Nigeria and warned that the US could go in “guns-a-blazing” if Africa’s most populous country fails to protect its Christian population. “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” he said, blaming “radical Islamists” for widespread violence.
The warning came a day after Washington returned Nigeria to its list of “Countries of Particular Concern,” which identifies nations accused of violating religious freedoms. Others on the list include China, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, and Pakistan.
NIGERIA’S RESPONSE
In Abuja, the Nigerian government said it would welcome US assistance in combating Islamist insurgents — but only if the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected.
“We welcome US assistance as long as it recognises our territorial integrity,” said Daniel Bwala, an adviser to President Bola Tinubu.
Bwala sought to ease tensions, downplaying Trump’s remarks even as the US leader described Nigeria as a “disgraced country.”