Overview
- President Donald Trump said he asked the Pentagon to draw up attack plans and warned U.S. aid to Nigeria could be suspended unless Abuja stops what he called mass killings of Christians.
- Nigeria rejected the accusations of religious persecution, emphasized its sovereignty, and invited a meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Trump to address security cooperation.
- The United Nations, through spokesman Farhan Haq, urged respect for international law and rejected threats or use of force against a sovereign state.
- Washington recently returned Nigeria to its list of countries of particular concern for religious-freedom violations, reflecting pressure from Republican lawmakers and evangelical groups.
- Conflict data from ACLED and analysts cited by wire services indicate only a small share of recorded attacks explicitly targeted Christians this year, undercutting claims of a documented anti-Christian genocide.