U.S. President Donald Trump has said he ordered the Pentagon to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria and suspended aid, citing alleged killings of Christians in the country.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday said he directed the Department of Defense to prepare for a potential rapid operation in Nigeria if the government fails to act against armed groups accused of targeting Christian communities. In a post on Truth Social, he said the United States would immediately suspend aid to Nigeria, warning that any U.S. response would be “fast” and “decisive.”
Trump criticised Nigeria’s leadership, saying the government must act swiftly to protect its citizens. He did not provide evidence or specify recent incidents. The White House did not issue an immediate comment, and Nigerian officials had yet to respond.
The statement followed the administration’s decision to place Nigeria back on the U.S. “Countries of Particular Concern” list, which identifies nations accused of severe violations of religious freedom. The move reinstates a designation removed in 2021 and allows for possible policy actions, including sanctions or waivers.
Before Trump’s comments, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rejected claims of religious intolerance, saying they did not reflect the country’s reality. “The characterization of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” Tinubu said. Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry, in a separate statement, said the government would continue efforts to combat violent extremism and maintain strong ties with the United States.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has a diverse population of Christians, Muslims, and followers of traditional faiths. While some areas have experienced violence involving ethnic and religious communities, analysts often attribute such conflicts to disputes over land, resources, and security rather than religion alone. The Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast has killed tens of thousands of people since 2009, affecting both Muslim and Christian populations.
Trump’s comments have drawn mixed reactions in the United States. Some lawmakers supported the move, citing concerns over attacks on Christian communities. Representative Tom Cole, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, welcomed the re-designation and noted that the 2026 national security budget includes higher funding for international religious freedom programmes.
The scope of any U.S. military action remains uncertain. Washington reduced its presence in West Africa after withdrawing troops from Niger last year. Its largest military facility on the continent remains in Djibouti, hosting over 5,000 personnel. For now, Trump’s remarks have added new tension to U.S.-Nigeria relations, as both governments face pressure to demonstrate their commitment to protecting religious freedom and combating extremism.
Counting is underway in Armenia's elections. The results of the vote are set to determine the political direction of the country of three million peop...
The Iranian national football team is set to arrive in North America for the World Cup after finally securing travel documents, but a dispute over U.S...
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships ...
The U.S. plans to seek the redirection of Iranian assets to Gulf states to help fund reconstruction and repairs for damage attributed to Iran, a sourc...
At least a dozen people were wounded, two critically, on Saturday (6 June) in Toledo, Ohio, as two shooters traded gunfire, police said....
Nigeria’s anti-drug agency says it has dismantled a methamphetamine production syndicate in what officials describe as the country’s largest drugs seizure of its kind.
Gunmen killed at least 10 people, including women and children, in an attack on a rural community in Nigeria’s northwestern Katsina State, residents said.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command of ISIS globally, was killed in an operation conducted by U.S. and Nigerian forces.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 16th of May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Counting is underway in Armenia's elections. The results of the vote are set to determine the political direction of the country of three million people for the next few years. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is hoping to fend off challenges from several pro-Russia candidates to secure a third term.
Armenian authorities arrested six candidates from the pro-Russian Strong Armenia bloc on Saturday, one day before voters were due to take part in parliamentary elections.
More than 6,000 people gathered outside a vote-counting centre in Seoul on Friday night, demanding this week’s local elections be repeated after ballot shortages left some voters unable to cast their ballots.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships Natra and Zircon in the Sea of Azov. In a statement, it said four Azerbaijani citizens were killed and four others were injured.
The U.S. said it struck Iranian radar sites on Qeshm Island and in Goruk after intercepting four drones, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they launches retaliatory strikes on four tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and targeted U.S. bases in the Gulf.
The Iranian national football team is set to arrive in North America for the World Cup after finally securing travel documents, but a dispute over U.S. visa approvals continues to cast a shadow over the country's tournament preparations.
At least a dozen people were wounded, two critically, on Saturday (6 June) in Toledo, Ohio, as two shooters traded gunfire, police said.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 7 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al‑Zaidi will pay an official visit to the United States, bringing with him a delegation of business leaders, private‑sector representatives and banking officials, in an effort to boost investment and deepen economic ties with Washington.
People across Gaza are facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, with millions struggling to access food, clean water, shelter and medical care as the conflict continues.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment