The United States Secretary for War, Pete Hegseth, has stated that the country is preparing for possible military action in Nigeria.
He made this statement after Donald Trump noted that the United States may carry out military action in Nigeria if the Bola Tinubu-led administration fails to stop what he described as “genocide against Christians.”
“The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria — and anywhere — must end immediately. The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” he wrote on X.
According to Trump, the United States military may come “gun-blazing” into the country.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.
“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians,” he said.
On Friday, President Trump said that, in response to claims of genocide against Christians in Nigeria, he had redesignated the country as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
He announced the decision on his Truth Social media platform.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN’ — But that is the least of it,” he posted.
The Nigerian government has denied claims of Christian genocide in the country.
The President emphasized that Nigeria’s constitution enshrines the protection of religious rights and that his administration continues to ensure equality for all faiths across the country.
“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” Tinubu said.
He noted that since assuming office in 2023, his administration has maintained active engagement with both Christian and Muslim leaders while working to tackle security challenges that affect citizens regardless of their religious affiliation.
“Since 2023, our administration has maintained an open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges which affect citizens across faiths and regions,” he stated.
Tinubu dismissed what he described as a mischaracterisation of Nigeria’s religious landscape by external observers, saying such claims fail to reflect the country’s diversity and the government’s ongoing efforts to promote peaceful coexistence.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” the President declared.
He stressed that religious tolerance remains central to Nigeria’s national identity, insisting that the government neither supports nor condones persecution based on faith.
“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it,” he affirmed.
Tinubu further underscored that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees protection for citizens of all faiths, reiterating that his administration will continue to work with international partners to promote understanding and safeguard communities.
“Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths,” he said.
“Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths,” Tinubu added.
@ Sahara Reporters
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