Overview
- Trump said on Truth Social he directed the Pentagon to prepare for a potential strike and threatened to halt all U.S. assistance to Nigeria.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signaled compliance, stating the department is preparing options against Islamist groups.
- Nigerian officials denied claims of genocide or religious persecution and the presidency expressed openness to U.S. help provided Nigeria’s territorial integrity is respected.
- The administration re-listed Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, a step that can trigger sanctions or limits on non‑humanitarian aid.
- Analysts and reports describe Nigeria’s violence as multi‑causal, affecting Christians and Muslims alike, and note that casualty figures cited by U.S. officials remain contested and unverified.