Former United States President Donald Trump has said the U.S. may carry out further military operations in Nigeria if killings of Christians persist, despite Nigeria’s government rejecting claims of religiously targeted violence.
Trump made the statement during an interview with The New York Times, published on Thursday, while responding to questions about a U.S. military strike carried out in Nigeria on Christmas Day.
According to the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), the operation targeted Islamic State fighters in north-western Nigeria and was conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities. Nigerian officials later described the strike as a joint counter-terrorism operation, stressing that it was not aimed at any religious group.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, confirmed that the airstrikes were executed with Nigeria’s consent, intelligence input, and cooperation. He added that the operation did not violate Nigeria’s sovereignty and was focused solely on terrorist elements.
In the interview, Trump suggested that further action could follow if violence against Christians continues. “I would like it to be a one-time strike,” he said. “But if the killings continue, there could be more.”
When asked about reports indicating that extremist groups in Nigeria have killed more Muslims than Christians, Trump acknowledged that Muslims were also victims but maintained that Christians were disproportionately affected.
Meanwhile, U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore revealed that American forces launched 12 Tomahawk missiles at Islamic State targets in Nigeria. He described the strikes as the beginning of a wider security effort, noting that additional operations could take place in collaboration with Nigerian authorities.
In recent months, Trump has repeatedly warned that Christianity faces what he termed an “existential threat” in Nigeria, raising the possibility of U.S. military intervention. Nigerian officials, however, have consistently dismissed claims of religious persecution, stating that insecurity in the country affects both Christians and Muslims alike.
Following high-level security talks between both countries, led on Nigeria’s side by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the American military is working closely with Nigeria to counter violent extremist groups responsible for attacks on civilians.
Nigeria’s government continues to maintain that its fight against terrorism is non-religious and focused solely on restoring peace and security nationwide.
