Overview
- President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to ready contingency plans and warned he would halt all U.S. aid over alleged killings of Christians, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signaling readiness.
- The administration reclassified Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for religious freedom violations, escalating pressure on Abuja.
- President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rejected portrayals of Nigeria as religiously intolerant and said his government protects freedom of religion for all citizens.
- Presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala said the United States cannot conduct unilateral military operations in Nigeria and stated that any assistance must recognize territorial integrity.
- Analysts said claims of a targeted Christian genocide are misleading, noting insurgent violence is complex and largely indiscriminate, with most victims in the northeast being Muslims.