US President Donald Trump warns of further military strikes in Nigeria
US President Donald Trump warns of further military strikes in Nigeria
U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning that the United States could carry out additional military strikes in Nigeria if attacks on Christian communities there continue. The comments were made in a recent interview with The New York Times, reigniting a sensitive international dispute over security, religion, and foreign intervention. Trump said he would prefer the December strike on militant targets to be a “one-time” operation, but added that if violence against Christians persists, “it will be a many-time strike.”
The warning follows a U.S. military strike on Christmas Day 2025 targeting Islamic State (ISIS) militants in northwest Nigeria, which the U.S. described as a joint operation with Nigerian forces against terrorism. Both the U.S. and Nigerian governments said the December operation was aimed at combating extremist violence and not motivated by religion.
Nigeria’s government has strongly rejected Trump’s narrative that Christians are being systematically targeted. Abuja maintains that the country’s ongoing security crisis involves a range of actors including Islamist militant groups, bandits, and communal clashes and affects both Muslims and Christians. Nigerian authorities emphasize that the violence is complex, not religiously one-sided, and that efforts are ongoing to protect all citizens.
Trump’s remarks have reignited debate about U.S. foreign policy and the framing of violence in Nigeria. Critics argue that the narrative of Christian persecution oversimplifies a multifaceted conflict and risks inflaming tensions. Others see the U.S. posture as part of a broader “America First” focus on defending religious freedom globally. Meanwhile, diplomatic channels between Washington and Abuja remain open as both sides navigate security cooperation and sovereign concerning it
