The United States has warned Nigeria of possible further military strikes if Christians continue to be targeted and killed in the country, despite Nigeria’s insistence that there is no systematic persecution of Christians. This warning comes after a US military strike against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day, carried out at the request of the Nigerian government.
In an interview with The New York Times, President Donald Trump stated, “I’d love to make it a one-time strike… But if they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike”. Trump’s comments have sparked controversy, with Nigerian authorities maintaining that extremist groups have killed both Muslims and Christians, and that the violence is driven by terrorism and criminality rather than religion.
The US-Nigeria tensions escalated in late October when Trump began publicly warning that Christianity faces an “existential threat” in Nigeria, threatening US military intervention over the Nigerian government’s alleged failure to stop violence against Christian communities. Nigeria, with a population of over 230 million people, is roughly evenly divided between Christians and Muslims.
The Nigerian government has consistently rejected claims of systematic persecution of Christians, emphasizing that the country is committed to protecting all citizens, regardless of religion. Nigerian authorities have also expressed willingness to cooperate with Washington in the fight against militants, while rejecting language suggesting that Christians are uniquely targeted.
The US strike on Christmas Day was aimed at Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria, and the US military said it was conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities. Nigerian officials described the operation as a joint effort targeting terrorists, stressing that it had “nothing to do with a particular religion”.
Trump’s warning has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation, with some experts questioning the effectiveness of military action in addressing the complex security challenges facing Nigeria. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing negotiations and developments likely to shape the outcome in the coming weeks.
The US has designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act, citing severe violations of religious freedom. This designation opens the door to possible policy responses, including sanctions or waivers.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has pushed back against claims of religious intolerance, emphasizing efforts to protect all faiths and engage religious leaders. The Nigerian government maintains that the country’s security challenges are driven by terrorism and criminality, rather than religion.
As tensions continue to simmer, the international community is watching closely, with concerns about the potential implications for regional stability and US-Nigeria relations.
