Overview
- Trump said he ordered the Pentagon to prepare for operations in Nigeria targeting Islamist militants he blamed for killings of Christians.
- The president announced an immediate suspension of U.S. aid to Nigeria and warned of action that could be taken “fast and viciously.”
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed the directive, writing that the department was preparing for action if Nigeria fails to protect Christians.
- The administration reinstated Nigeria’s status as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged religious‑freedom violations.
- President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rejected the allegations and emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to protecting all faiths, while analysts cautioned that U.S. threats risk worsening sectarian tensions and regional stability.