Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to launch military action against Nigeria over alleged targeted killings of Christians has sparked mixed reactions across the country — with some civil society groups and religious advocates expressing support for his stance, while government officials condemned it as “misleading and imperialistic.”
Trump had accused the Nigerian government of allowing mass killings of Christians and warned that the United States could halt all aid to Nigeria and “go in guns-a-blazing” to eliminate Islamic terrorists.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and may very well go into that now disgraced country, guns-a-blazing,” Trump posted on social media.
While the Nigerian presidency swiftly dismissed the statement as “based on false and outdated reports,” some advocacy groups and Christian leaders described Trump’s position as “a wake-up call” to the government.
A coalition of faith-based organizations under the banner of the Christian Solidarity Forum (CSF) said Trump’s warning, though harsh, “reflects the frustration of millions of Christians who have suffered attacks in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and northern regions.”
“The Nigerian government must see Trump’s words as a call for accountability and decisive action against religiously motivated killings,” the CSF said in a statement.
Similarly, the Northern Christian Elders Assembly (NCEA) noted that Trump’s comments “drew global attention” to what they described as years of neglect by successive administrations in addressing religiously driven violence.
However, government representatives maintained that Trump’s remarks were unnecessary and could damage diplomatic relations between both nations. Presidential aide Daniel Bwala said Trump’s comments were “misinformed” and “do not reflect the current realities of Nigeria’s security situation.”
“No country can unilaterally launch a military operation on Nigerian soil. Such comments disregard our sovereignty and ongoing efforts to protect all citizens, regardless of faith,” Bwala stated.
International law expert Professor Akin Oyebode also criticized Trump’s tone, calling it “imperialistic,” though he acknowledged that Nigeria must intensify efforts to protect vulnerable communities.
The development has stirred public debate across Nigeria, with some viewing Trump’s comments as interference, while others say his tough message could pressure authorities to take stronger action against religious violence.
