United States President Donald Trump has escalated his accusations against Nigeria over alleged attacks on Christians, threatening to suspend American aid and potentially deploy military forces if the violence persists.
The warning, delivered through Trump’s Truth Social account, has raised diplomatic tensions between Washington and Abuja, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu firmly rejecting the characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant.
Trump declared that Washington “may very well go into that now disgraced country, guns-a-blazing”, claiming Islamic terrorists were targeting Christians across Nigeria. He added that he had instructed the U.S. “Department of War” to prepare for possible intervention, stating any attack would be “fast, vicious, and sweet”.
The American president’s remarks have sparked concern amongst Nigerians, who maintain that the country continues to experience relative religious harmony despite ongoing security challenges. Analysts have warned that the threat of U.S. military intervention poses serious diplomatic and security concerns, noting that other nations subjected to similar interventions remain mired in instability.
However, President Tinubu has categorically rejected Trump’s allegations and the designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern”, insisting that Nigeria remains a democracy committed to protecting religious freedom.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Tinubu said: “Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty. Since 2023, our administration has maintained open engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike, and continues to address security challenges that affect citizens across faiths and regions.”
The Nigerian leader stressed that the characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant “does not reflect our national reality”, adding that the government continues to work with the United States and other international partners “to deepen cooperation on the protection of communities of all faiths”.
The diplomatic row comes amidst Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to combat various security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, and communal conflicts affecting communities regardless of religious affiliation.
