UNGA: Trump uses UN platform to praise coal, condemn open borders and challenge world leaders
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he has ordered the Pentagon to begin preparing for possible military action in Nigeria, adding to his claims that the Nigerian government is not doing enough to stop the persecution of Christians.
Trump also threatened to cut off all US aid to the country.
“If the Nigerian government continues to allow the murder of Christians, the United States will immediately end all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and go 'gun-in' into that infamous country to completely eliminate the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrific atrocities,” Trump wrote on social media. “I am directing my War Department to be prepared for possible action. If we attack, it will be swift, brutal and sweet, just as terrorist thugs attack our beloved Christians!”
His warning followed a response the same day from Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who rejected Trump's announcement that he was designating Nigeria a “country of particular concern” for allegedly failing to stop attacks on Christians.
Also read: Tinubu tells Trump: Nigeria stands strong as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantee of religious freedom
In a statement, Tinubu said it was wrong to portray Nigeria as a religiously intolerant country.
He said, “Religious freedom and tolerance have been and will always remain the core principles of our collective identity.” “Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it. Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees of protection for its citizens of all religions.”
Trump said Friday that “Christianity faces an existential threat in Nigeria” and blamed “radical Islamists” for “mass genocide.” His comments come after US Senator Ted Cruz's recent call for Congress to label Nigeria a violator of religious freedom, citing claims of “Christian mass murder”.
Nigeria's population of approximately 220 million is divided almost evenly between Christians and Muslims. The country faces insecurity on multiple fronts: Boko Haram and Islamic State-affiliated extremists, farmer-herder conflicts, communal violence, ethnic tensions and separatist movements.
While Christians are also among those targeted, some analysts claim that the majority of victims of armed groups are Muslims in the country's Muslim-majority northern region, where most attacks occur.
Also read: US Senator Cruz supports bill against Sharia, blasphemy laws in Nigeria
Also, Nigeria's Foreign Ministry reiterated that the government protects citizens of all religions.
Spokesman Kimibi Abianfa said, “The federal government of Nigeria will continue to protect all citizens regardless of race, creed or religion.” “Like America, Nigeria has no choice but to celebrate the diversity that is our greatest strength.”
The US first designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern” in 2020 for what the State Department called “systematic violations of religious freedom.” The designation – which did not specifically cite attacks on Christians – was to be removed in 2023, a move widely seen as part of efforts to improve diplomatic relations ahead of a visit by then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
