U.S. Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has declared that his department is preparing for possible military intervention in Nigeria following President Donald Trump’s warning over continued attacks on Christians. The statement, made on Saturday, intensifies diplomatic tension between Washington and Abuja, reigniting global debate on religion, human rights, and foreign interference.
Hegseth’s remarks came in direct response to a post by President Trump on Truth Social, where the former president accused the Nigerian government of “turning a blind eye” to what he described as the “mass killing of Christians” by Islamic extremists. Trump announced that he had instructed the “Department of War” to ready itself for immediate action, threatening to halt all U.S. aid to Nigeria and launch a military offensive if the violence persists.
“If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria and 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,” Trump wrote. “If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians.”
Reacting to Trump’s post on X (formerly Twitter), Hegseth reaffirmed his department’s commitment to “prepare for action,” warning that the U.S. would not tolerate continued violence against Christians. “The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria and anywhere must end immediately. Either the Nigerian government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” he stated.
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The latest exchange comes barely 24 hours after Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” citing ongoing allegations of Christian persecution. The designation marks a significant policy reversal and has drawn both praise and criticism from global observers.
In a swift response, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rejected Trump’s statement, insisting that Nigeria remains a democratic nation founded on religious freedom and constitutional rights. He emphasized that his administration is committed to protecting all citizens, regardless of faith, and warned against external misrepresentation of the country’s security challenges.
The controversy has sparked widespread reactions across social media, with some Americans applauding Trump’s “boldness” in defending religious freedom, while many Nigerians view it as an affront to national sovereignty. Analysts warn that the rhetoric could strain diplomatic relations and complicate security cooperation between both nations.
