United States President Donald Trump has warned that the U.S. may halt all aid to Nigeria and has directed the Pentagon to prepare plans for possible military action if attacks on Christians in the country continue. The statement — posted on Trump’s Truth Social account and shared on the White House X handle — came after the president said Christianity in Nigeria faces an “existential threat.”
Trump said the United States “will immediately stop all aid and assistance” if the Nigerian government fails to stop violence against Christians, and that U.S. forces could move into Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” to strike the armed groups he blamed for the killings. He called for fast action from Washington, including review of the country’s designation on religious-freedom watch lists.
U.S. lawmakers and advocacy groups pushed for action
The move follows pressure from some U.S. lawmakers and Christian advocacy groups urging the U.S. to redesignate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged systematic attacks on Christians. Republican Congressman Riley Moore and Senator Ted Cruz have been among those calling for tougher measures, citing statistics they say show large numbers of Christian victims and attacks on churches.
Nigerian government rejects characterization
The Nigerian government has strongly rejected the allegation that attacks amount to a campaign targeting Christians. The Federal Government and the Ministry of Information have described the U.S. claims as inaccurate and warned that framing the complex security crisis in narrowly sectarian terms risks inflaming tensions. Authorities say the violence affects people of all faiths and that insecurity is driven by insurgency, banditry and criminality rather than state-sponsored religious persecution.
Military detainees and allegations of funding trails
Reporting around the broader security probe has also highlighted related developments: Nigerian authorities say some officers detained in connection with an intelligence investigation are being questioned over professional misconduct, while separate reporting has flagged suspicious financial flows linked to public projects — matters that have intensified political concern at home. The Defence Headquarters has repeatedly denied official involvement in any attempted coup.
International reaction and next steps
News organizations say Trump’s statement significantly escalates U.S. rhetoric toward Nigeria and could prompt diplomatic and policy actions — from sanctions to aid suspension — if Washington pursues the designation and follows through on threatened measures. The U.S. State Department typically handles formal country-of-concern designations, and legal/economic steps would likely follow any formal decision. Meanwhile, Nigerian officials have called for dialogue and the use of verified data in international assessments.
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