United States President Donald Trump has indicated that the United States could conduct multiple military strikes in Nigeria if violence against Christians continues.
Trump made this known in an interview with The New York Times.
When asked whether the December 25 military operation targeting Islamic State affiliates in northwest Nigeria marked the beginning of a broader campaign, Trump said, “I’d love to make it a one-time strike… but if they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike.”
The Christmas Day operation, which Washington stated was carried out at the request of the Nigerian government, aimed at Islamic State-linked groups and drew international attention.
Trump described the intervention as a response to what he called repeated killings of Christians by extremist groups in Nigeria, sparking debate about the motivations behind the strikes.
Addressing remarks from his senior Africa adviser that extremist groups like the Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram had killed more Muslims than Christians, Trump acknowledged that Muslims have also suffered. “I think that Muslims are being killed also in Nigeria. But it’s mostly Christians,” he said.
The Nigerian government has rejected claims of genocide against Christians, noting that violent groups operate with mixed motives and have targeted both Muslims and Christians across northern Nigeria.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to counter-terrorism efforts in collaboration with international partners and stressed that attacks on any community, regardless of religion, are unacceptable.
Okiki Adeduyite is a journalist with over seven years of experience covering politics, foreign affairs, society, entertainment, and the film industry.
