President Trump orders U.S military to prepare for action against Islamist militants in Nigeria

President Donald Trump has ordered the U.S. military to prepare for possible action against Islamist militants in Nigeria, citing concerns over the alleged persecution of Christians.

His directive has sparked international debate and raised questions about sovereignty, religious violence, and U.S. foreign policy.

In a fiery statement posted on Truth Social, President Trump accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect its Christian population from Islamist militant groups.

He warned that if the killings continue, the United States would halt all aid and potentially launch a “fast, vicious, and sweet” military operation to “wipe out the Islamic terrorists” responsible.

Trump’s remarks follow his designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” due to alleged religious persecution.

However, human rights groups and conflict monitors have challenged the narrative of targeted Christian genocide.

They argue that violence in Nigeria affects people of all faiths, with both Christians and Muslims suffering attacks from jihadist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP.

Nigeria, a country nearly evenly split between Christian and Muslim populations, has long grappled with complex interreligious and ethnic tensions. Critics say Trump’s framing risks oversimplifying a multifaceted crisis and could inflame sectarian divisions.

The Nigerian government responded cautiously, with presidential advisor Daniel Bwala stating that while Nigeria would welcome U.S. support in combating insurgents, any military action must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty.

He emphasised that the jihadists do not target one religion exclusively and that victims span all backgrounds.

As Trump’s threats reverberate across diplomatic circles, analysts warn that unilateral U.S. intervention could destabilise the region further unless coordinated with Nigerian authorities and regional partners.