Trump Threatens Military Action Over Attacks On Christians; US Defense Chief Backs Preparation
By ANDERSON (ANDY) CLIFF
US President Donald Trump warned on 1 November 2025 that he has ordered the Defence Department to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria if the government does not act swiftly to stop attacks on Christians. In a social-media post, Trump said any US strike would be “fast, vicious and sweet” and threatened to halt all aid to Nigeria.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth echoed the president, saying the department is “preparing for action” to target extremists responsible for killings. The US move follows Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for religious-freedom violations.
Nigeria’s government rejected the characterisation, saying the label and claims exaggerated the situation and stressing that both Christians and Muslims suffer attacks driven by diverse security and communal factors. Officials said they are cooperating with international partners even as they disputed Washington’s framing.
