U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified his warnings of military intervention in Nigeria amid reports of targeted killings of Christians.
On October 31, Trump designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” citing claims of a Christian genocide and urging the Nigerian government to act swiftly to halt the violence.
In a video statement on Wednesday, delivered behind a lectern bearing the seal of his office, Trump condemned attacks attributed to radical Islamist groups and warned of immediate consequences if the Nigerian authorities fail to respond.
He did not rule out airstrikes or a ground military operation, stating his aim is to “completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists killing Christians in Nigeria.”
Trump also threatened to suspend all U.S. aid to Nigeria should the violence persist, declaring that “there would be hell to pay,” and instructed the U.S. Department of Defense to prepare for potential action, which he described as “vicious and sweet.”
He emphasised that Christianity in Nigeria is facing an “existential threat,” underscoring the urgency of international attention to the crisis.
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“If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid assistance to Nigeria,” he said.
“We are going to do things to Nigerians that Nigeria is not going to be happy about 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.
“I am hereby instructing the Department of War to prepare for possible actions. If we attack, it is going to be vicious and sweet just as the terrorist thugs attack our chrished chirstians. The Nigerian government had better move fast before it is too late.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands and thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter.”
He called on Riley Moore, member of the US house of representatives; and Tom Cole, chairman of the house appropriations committee; to urgently investigate the situation and report back immediately.
Trump said the US “cannot stand by” while such atrocities occur, not only in Nigeria but globally, reaffirming America’s readiness to protect Christian populations worldwide.
“I am hereby making Nigeria a country of particular concern. That’s a legal definition. When the Christians or any such group is slaughtered, like it’s happening in Nigeria, 3,100 versus 4,476 worldwide. What horrible numbers! Something has to be done,” he said.
“I am asking congressman Riley Moore, together with chairman Tom Cole and the house appropriations committee, to immediately look into this matter and report back to me.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and numerous other countries.
“It’s not only Nigeria, it’s all over. We stand ready, willing, and able to save our great Christian population around the world.”