US President, Donald Trump, has intensified his threat of military action in Nigeria, saying he would not rule out air strikes or boots on the ground to halt what he described as the targeted killing of Christians in the West African country.
Trump, who on October 31 redesignated Nigeria a “country of particular concern”, reiterated the warning in a video message on Wednesday in which he accused “radical Islamists” of carrying out a “mass slaughter” of Christians and said Washington would act if the Nigerian government failed to stop the violence.
In the recorded address, delivered behind a lectern bearing the seal of his office, Trump used blunt language to outline possible US steps, saying the United States could both cut aid and take direct military action.
He said, “If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid assistance to Nigeria.
“We are going to do things to Nigerians that Nigeria is not going to be happy about and 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.”
He told the US Department of War to “prepare for possible actions,” warning that any strike would be “vicious and sweet” and urging Nigerian authorities to move swiftly.
“I am hereby instructing the Department of War to prepare for possible actions. If we attack, it is going to be vicious and sweet just as the terrorist thugs attack our chrished chirstians. The Nigerian government had better move fast before it is too late,” he said.
The US president framed the crisis as existential for Christians in Nigeria.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands and thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” Trump said, calling on Congress to investigate the allegations immediately.
He asked Rep. Riley Moore and Rep. Tom Cole, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, to examine the situation and report back promptly.
“I am asking congressman Riley Moore, together with chairman Tom Cole and the house appropriations committee, to immediately look into this matter and report back to me,” he said.
Beyond military options, Trump warned of the immediate suspension of US aid should the killings persist and framed the administration’s stance as part of a global effort to protect Christian communities.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and numerous other countries… We stand ready, willing, and able to save our great Christian population around the world,” he said.
© 2025 Naijaonpoint, a division of NOP Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]