U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that he ordered the Pentagon to “prepare for possible military action” in Nigeria, accusing the West African nation of failing to curb violence against Christians — a charge Nigeria has repeatedly denied.

In a social media post on Saturday, Trump criticized what he called the “mass slaughter” of Christians in Nigeria, saying the United States would “immediately stop all aid and assistance” unless the government acts swiftly.

He added that the U.S. “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.”

The president further claimed he had directed “our Department of War” to prepare for possible intervention, warning: “If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians! WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!”

Pentagon’s response

Shortly after Trump’s post, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth echoed the message online, writing, “Yes sir,” along with a screenshot of Trump’s comments.

“The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria — and anywhere — must end immediately,” Hegseth stated. “Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”

Nigeria, a country of more than 230 million people, has long battled extremist groups and communal conflicts. While Trump focused on attacks against Christians, reports from local media and rights groups indicate that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of violence.

Experts note that the unrest is driven by multiple factors — including religious extremism, farmer-herder clashes, and ethnic tensions — rather than a single religious conflict.

Religious freedom designation

Trump’s statement follows his administration’s decision to classify Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act. The designation suggests that Nigeria has “engaged in or tolerated systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”

The move heightened tensions between Washington and Abuja, with U.S. officials suggesting further diplomatic or economic actions could follow if conditions do not improve.

Responding to the accusations, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the claims of religious intolerance “do not reflect our national reality.”

In a statement on social media, Tinubu emphasized that his government “consistently safeguards freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians” and is working with international partners — including the U.S. — to strengthen community protections.

Tinubu’s press secretary, Bayo Onanuga, also rejected the “exaggerated” U.S. characterization, saying, “Christians, Muslims, churches, and mosques are attacked randomly.” He urged Washington to offer “military support to fight extremists,” rather than labeling Nigeria as a nation of concern.