Trump Threatens Nigeria with Military Invasion

U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday instructed the Department of Defense to prepare for "possible actions" in Nigeria. This move is a direct response to the alleged killings and violence against the Christian population in the country, which Washington now considers intolerable. The president's harsh statement and subsequent diplomatic actions have put Nigeria before a difficult choice: either act immediately or face a full-scale U.S. response.

In his characteristic style, President Trump posted a stern warning on social media addressed to the Nigerian authorities. "If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S. will immediately cease all aid to Nigeria and may well invade this, now disgraceful, country with weapons in hand to completely destroy the Islamist terrorists who are committing these terrible atrocities," Trump wrote. He concluded his message with a threat:

The seriousness of the president's words was confirmed by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who responded to Trump's post with, "Yes, sir." Hegseth later emphasized that the Pentagon is already preparing. "The killing of... innocent Christians in Nigeria must stop immediately," he stated. "The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian government will protect the Christians, or we will kill the Islamist terrorists who are committing these horrific atrocities." These words are a clear signal that Trump's statement is not an empty threat.

As NBC News highlights, this bellicose rhetoric is also accompanied by concrete diplomatic steps. On the same day, the Trump administration officially classified Nigeria as a "country of particular concern." This status is granted by the U.S. government to states that, according to Washington, are engaged in "particularly severe violations of religious freedom." This designation can serve as a basis for imposing economic and diplomatic sanctions, further increasing the pressure on Nigeria.

Nigeria's inclusion on this list places it in the same category as countries like China, Cuba, and North Korea, which have been targets of U.S. criticism for decades.