DID Press: US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced that, under the orders of President Donald Trump, Washington is preparing for a potential military operation against what it describes as “Islamic terrorists” in Nigeria. According to U.S. officials, the stated goal is to protect Christians from religious violence.
“The slaughter of innocent Christians in Nigeria — and anywhere else — must stop immediately. The Department of War is preparing to act. Either the Nigerian government protects Christians, or we will eliminate the Islamic terrorists responsible for these atrocities,” Hegseth wrote on X.
President Trump had earlier said that he instructed the Pentagon to review military action scenarios against extremist groups in Nigeria. He warned that if violence against Christians continues, the United States will suspend all aid and support to Nigeria and could “act with full force to completely eradicate” these extremist groups.
In response, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rejected Trump’s remarks, saying the characterization of Nigeria as intolerant toward religious minorities is false. Tinubu stressed that the Nigerian government upholds freedom of religion and conscience for all citizens and does not tolerate discrimination or religious persecution.
“Such claims ignore the facts and undermine the sincere efforts of the Nigerian government to maintain peaceful coexistence among followers of all faiths,” Tinubu added.