A United States Congressman, Bill Huizenga, has said that President Donald Trump is unlikely to take military action in Nigeria despite his recent threat to go “guns-ablazing” over alleged killings of Christians and other Nigerians.
Speaking in an interview with Arise TV , Huizenga clarified that Trump’s comments were more about expressing frustration with ongoing violence than indicating a real plan for military intervention.
According to the US lawmaker, the American President’s priority is likely to focus on using economic and individual sanctions to pressure those responsible, rather than launching an invasion.
He said, “I too was surprised by the comments that they came out; that the President came out that forcefully. I suspect that that is not a high priority of having actual military intervention, specifically in Nigeria. But I think he does want to make sure that, from his view, the genocide that is happening specifically against Christians, but also others in Nigeria, needs to stop. While I don’t envision a surprise attack, I don’t envision that there’s going to be a military response.”
Huizenga emphasised that sanctions targeting individuals and organisations could be the most effective approach to ending the violence.
“First, as we had talked about, I would first and foremost encourage them to look at the economic pressure and sanctions on both individuals and organisations. I think that would be the most effective,” he said.
He also suggested that Trump’s history of prioritising diplomacy over warfare further reduces the likelihood of a US-led military intervention.
“Frankly, this President has been someone who has pursued peace rather than just expanding war. So I think he would be very selective before he did anything militarily,” Huizenga added.
According to him, economic sanctions would not only send a strong signal but also cut off the funding networks sustaining violent groups.
“Sanctions really cut off the flow of money, cut off the flow of travel. We don’t know who exactly is financing much of these operations from the Fulani or Boko Haram in the past. And what I do know is, though, if we put economic pressure on them and the inability to move money around, that will have an impact, I think a positive impact,” he said.
In a speech seen by SaharaReporters, Trump reiterated that he has designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern” over what he described as large-scale killings of Christians and warned that Washington could cut aid or even take military action if the violence continues.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria, thousands and thousands of Christians are being killed, radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a country of particular concern, that is a legal definition,” Trump wrote in a social media post.
He drew attention to global figures and urged rapid action from U.S. lawmakers. “When the Christians or any such group is slaughtered like it’s happening in Nigeria 3100 Vs 4476 Worldwide, what horrible numbers.”
Trump called on members of Congress to move quickly, singling out appropriations leaders. “Something has to be done, I am asking Congressman Riley Moore together with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee to immediately look into this matter to report back to me, I mean like immediately.”
He added that the United States would intervene to protect religious minorities. “The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and other countries. It’s not only in Nigeria, it’s all over. We are able and willing to defend Christians, the killing of Christians, it is not going to happen.”