Overview
- Trump warned on social media that the U.S. would immediately suspend assistance to Nigeria and said he has directed the Defense Department to prepare potential action.
- In follow-up comments reported Monday, Trump said possible steps could include deploying troops or conducting airstrikes to target Islamist militants.
- Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dismissed the allegations as inaccurate and affirmed the country’s constitutional protections for freedom of worship.
- A Nigerian government representative told Reuters the country would accept U.S. assistance against insurgents provided Nigeria’s territorial integrity is respected.
- Analysts noted casualty figures circulated by Trump allies lack independent verification, and ACLED data show jihadist and militia violence has killed both Muslims and Christians; a Senate push to place Nigeria on a religious-freedom watchlist remains stalled.