By M10News World Desk
November 2, 2025 | Washington, D.C.
US President Donald Trump has directed the Department of Defense to prepare for potential military action in Nigeria, accusing the West African nation of failing to stop what he described as the “mass slaughter” of Christians a claim Nigerian authorities have firmly rejected.
In a lengthy post on his social media platform, Mr Trump said the United States would “immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria” and warned that his administration “may very well go into that now disgraced country, guns-a-blazing, to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”
Read More: Trump Labels Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ Over Alleged Christian Killings
The move marks one of the strongest warnings yet from the Trump administration, which last week designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act a label typically reserved for governments accused of allowing or engaging in serious violations of religious rights.
Nigeria rejects Trump’s remarks
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu issued a swift response, calling Mr Trump’s remarks “a gross misrepresentation” of the country’s complex security challenges.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” President Tinubu said in a statement, stressing that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of extremist violence.
His spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said Abuja “rejects any suggestion that Christians are being systematically targeted,” adding that the violence in northern Nigeria “is largely driven by terrorism, banditry, and local resource conflicts rather than religious persecution.”
Religious violence and complex causes
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation with over 230 million citizens, has battled overlapping conflicts for years including Islamist insurgencies, communal clashes between herders and farmers, and organised bandit attacks.
While some incidents have been interpreted through a religious lens, analysts note that most victims are Muslims living in the north, and that attributing the crisis solely to anti-Christian violence oversimplifies the issue.
“The violence in Nigeria is multi-dimensional,” said a West Africa security analyst at Chatham House. “Framing it purely as a religious war ignores economic, ethnic, and governance factors driving the unrest.”
Pentagon response and domestic reactions
Following Mr Trump’s post, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth replied on social media, writing: “Yes sir,” alongside a screenshot of the president’s order. The Pentagon has not confirmed whether any operational planning has begun.
US officials familiar with military procedures said presidential “prepare-to-plan” directives are not equivalent to authorising military intervention. Any potential deployment would require a detailed review and, under the War Powers Act, Congressional oversight.
Human rights groups urge caution
Humanitarian organisations have warned that US intervention could further destabilise the region and lead to civilian casualties.
“Foreign military action without coordination with regional partners could worsen the humanitarian crisis,” said Dr. Lydia Omole, a conflict researcher at the University of Lagos. “Nigeria needs security reform and intelligence support — not external firepower.”
Nigeria calls for cooperation, not confrontation
Mr Tinubu’s office has appealed to Washington to work collaboratively rather than resort to threats. “What our country requires from America is partnership in counter-terrorism, not punitive designations or sanctions,” Onanuga said.
Diplomatic sources told M10News that senior Nigerian and US officials have opened backchannel discussions to de-escalate the row, which threatens to strain relations between the two allies.
Wider implications for US-Africa policy
Mr Trump’s comments have sparked renewed debate about the United States’ approach to Africa under his administration.
Critics say the tone risks alienating key partners at a time when Washington is seeking to counter Chinese and Russian influence across the continent.
“The language of ‘guns-a-blazing’ is not diplomatic it undermines years of cooperation,” said a former US ambassador to Nigeria. “Nigeria remains a strategic partner in West Africa’s security architecture.”
What happens next
While the Pentagon has not announced any concrete military steps, observers expect the US State Department to clarify the administration’s position in the coming days.
For now, analysts see Mr Trump’s comments as political pressure rather than a clear signal of imminent action but the rhetoric has already heightened tensions in a region struggling with insecurity and humanitarian strain.
Editing by M10News World Desk | Contact: world@m10news.com
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