By Our Correspondent
Former United States President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Nigeria, threatening to halt all American aid and consider military intervention if the country fails to stop attacks on Christian communities. Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social account on Friday, accusing Nigerian authorities of allowing extremist groups to target Christians with impunity.
Trump claimed that the ongoing violence has reached an “existential threat” to Christianity in Nigeria. He said that if the attacks continue, the United States would suspend financial and military assistance to Nigeria and could deploy American forces to dismantle the networks responsible. In addition, he announced plans to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for religious freedom violations, a move that could result in sanctions and increased diplomatic scrutiny.
The statement has sparked international attention, with reactions ranging from support from Christian advocacy groups to criticism from diplomats concerned about escalating tensions. Analysts have described the warning as one of the most forceful messages to Nigeria from a former US leader in recent years.
The Nigerian government quickly rejected Trump’s claims, describing them as misleading and exaggerated. Presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale said the government is committed to protecting all citizens, regardless of religion or ethnicity, and emphasized that violence affects both Christian and Muslim communities.
According to Ngelale, Nigeria has been making progress in combating terrorism and restoring security in affected areas. He urged foreign leaders to avoid statements that could misrepresent the country’s challenges and deepen divisions. “What we face is not a war between religions,” he said. “We are confronting criminal and extremist elements who seek to destabilize our nation.”
Security experts have warned that framing Nigeria’s violence solely as religious persecution oversimplifies a complex situation. Dr Amina Yusuf, a security analyst at Ahmadu Bello University, noted that attacks in the country are driven by a combination of terrorism, ethnic conflicts, farmer-herder disputes, and competition over land and resources. “Both Christians and Muslims have suffered,” she said. “Reducing this crisis to religion alone ignores the deeper social and economic issues fueling the violence.”
If the United States were to act on Trump’s threats, it would mark a significant shift in its relationship with Nigeria. Washington and Abuja have long cooperated on counterterrorism, trade, and regional stability, with the US providing millions in aid annually. Diplomatic observers have cautioned that military intervention could destabilize the region and strain relations with neighboring West African countries.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Open Doors USA, have documented ongoing attacks against both Christian and Muslim communities, highlighting the urgent need for government action. These groups have stressed that addressing Nigeria’s security challenges requires cooperation among federal and state governments, local communities, and international partners.
Within Nigeria, reactions to Trump’s statement have been mixed. Some Christian organizations welcomed the warning, seeing it as a call for stronger protection. Others, including Muslim and civil society groups, criticized the statement as inflammatory and potentially harmful to national unity.
Political analysts suggest that Trump’s remarks may be influenced by his domestic support base in the United States, particularly evangelical voters. Linking foreign policy to religious issues, they say, risks complicating diplomacy and reducing opportunities for constructive engagement.
As Nigeria faces growing internal and international pressure, the government must balance national security, citizen protection, and diplomatic relations. Experts stress that the country’s long-term stability depends on reducing violence, fostering interfaith cooperation, and addressing the underlying economic and social causes of conflict.
Trump’s warning has renewed debate in the United States over America’s role in defending religious freedom abroad and the limits of military intervention. For Nigeria, the challenge remains ensuring that peace and security prevail over violence and external pressures, while maintaining national sovereignty and social cohesion.
