Overview
- Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, President Trump said there "could be" U.S. troops on the ground or airstrikes in Nigeria following his order to prepare for possible action.
- Trump threatened to halt all U.S. aid and warned of a potential operation to target Islamist militants he blames for large-scale killings of Christians, using the phrase "guns-a-blazing."
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly backed the directive, saying the "Department of War is preparing for action" and calling for an end to the killing of Christians.
- Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rejected the portrayal of the country as religiously intolerant, while adviser Daniel Bwala said Abuja would welcome U.S. help if sovereignty is respected and indicated a meeting between the leaders is being explored.
- The escalation followed the U.S. decision to re-list Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, as analysts note most insurgency victims have been Muslims in the northeast and dispute claims of a targeted Christian genocide.