Overview
- In a new video message, President Trump warned he could halt U.S. aid and “go in… guns a‑blazing” to “completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists” he blames for killing Christians in Nigeria.
- Reporting cited Pentagon planning requests for potential responses that include airstrikes, drone strikes and embedding U.S. forces with Nigerian troops, with no authorization for strikes issued.
- President Bola Tinubu’s government dismissed the genocide characterization and said authorities protect freedom of religion as they confront nationwide security threats.
- Nigerian rights lawyer Femi Falana said Trump’s assertion is false, contending many killings are driven by ransom, banditry and local resource disputes rather than religious targeting.
- Casualty figures cited by Trump and his allies vary widely and remain disputed, and there has been no public U.S. military action despite escalatory rhetoric and aid threats.