Pres. Trump warns Nigeria over treatment of Christians

US President Donald J. Trump on Saturday said he has asked the Defense Department to prepare for possible “fast” military action in Nigeria if the West African nation fails to crack down on the killing of Christians.

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The US government will also immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and top oil producer, Mr. Trump said ina post on Truth Social.

If the United States sends in military forces, it would go in “guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Mr. Trump wrote, without providing any evidence of specifics about the treatment of Christians in Nigeria.

Mr. Trump called Nigeria a “disgraced country” and warned its government must move quickly. “If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!” He wrote.

Abuja had no immediate reaction to Mr. Trump’s threat of military action. The White House also had no immediate comment on the potential timing of any US military action.

Although the US Department of Defense referred Reuters to the White House for comment on Mr. Trump’s threat, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth released a social media post of his own.

“The Department of War is preparing for action,” Mr. Hegseth wrote on X. “Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”