Former U.S. President Donald J. Trump has issued a fiery warning to the Nigerian government, threatening to cut off all American aid and potentially launch military action if authorities in Abuja “continue to allow the killing of Christians.”
In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump accused Nigeria of turning a blind eye to what he described as “horrible atrocities” committed by Islamic terrorists. He warned that if the violence persisted, the U.S. could go “guns-a-blazing” into the country to “completely wipe out” the perpetrators.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, 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,” Trump wrote.
In his post, Trump claimed he had instructed the “Department of War” to prepare for possible action—a reference that raised eyebrows, as the United States hasn’t had an official Department of War since 1947, when it was renamed the Department of Defense.
“If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians!” Trump continued. “WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!”
The statement marks one of Trump’s most aggressive foreign policy declarations since leaving office and is likely to escalate diplomatic tensions between Washington and Abuja.
Nigeria’s government has previously rejected claims of genocide against Christians, insisting that ongoing violence in parts of the country stems from banditry, extremism, and ethnic conflict that affects both Christians and Muslims. However, Trump’s threat suggests that his camp sees the issue as a deliberate campaign against Christians — a position that could harden conservative and evangelical sentiment in the U.S.
Trump’s post comes as violence continues to grip northern and central Nigeria, where extremist groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have targeted villages, churches, and civilians.
Analysts say Trump’s remarks could complicate U.S.-Nigeria relations and potentially inflame tensions in a country already battling internal division and political instability.
Whether the current U.S. administration will formally respond to Trump’s message remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Trump’s words have once again thrust Nigeria into the center of America’s polarized political and religious debates — and the shockwaves may be felt far beyond Abuja and Washington.
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