US President Donald Trump has ordered the military to prepare for action in Nigeria to tackle Islamist militant groups, accusing the government of failing to protect Christians.
Trump did not specify which incidents he was referring to, but claims of a genocide against Nigeria's Christians have gained traction in some right-wing US circles in recent weeks and months.
Experts monitoring violence in Nigeria assert that there is no evidence indicating that Christians are being killed at higher rates than Muslims, with the country's population being roughly evenly split between the two religions.
An advisor to Nigeria's president remarked that any military intervention against jihadist groups should be coordinated jointly.
Daniel Bwala expressed that Nigeria would welcome US assistance in combating the Islamist insurgents while also asserting that it is a sovereign country.
He emphasized that the jihadists have targeted people of all faiths, causing casualties across the spectrum.
President Bola Tinubu maintained that Nigeria promotes religious tolerance, framing the security issues as affecting all citizens regardless of their religious affiliations.
In a social media post on Saturday, Trump indicated that he had directed the US Department of War to prepare for possible military actions.
His warning included a threat to send troops into Nigeria with aggressive intentions unless the Nigerian government took action, alongside cutting off all aid to what he labeled a disgraced country.
Trump stated: If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed Trump's sentiments, affirmatively stating that the military was poised for action and demanding that the Nigerian government protect its Christian population or face retaliation against the Islamist extremists committing the attacks.
Trump's declarations have triggered alarm across Nigeria, with many citizens urging the government to intensify its campaign against Islamist factions to prevent potential foreign military intervention.
Bwala, identifying as a Christian pastor, noted that Nigeria interpreted Trump's rhetoric as a reflection of his desire to assist rather than a literal military ultimatum, expressing hope for a meeting between Trump and Tinubu.
Trump previously designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern due to the perceived existential threat to its Christian population, alleging that thousands have been killed without presenting corroborative evidence.
The designation permits sanctions against countries experiencing severe violations of religious freedom by the US government.
Following Trump's claim, President Tinubu affirmed his administration's commitment to engaging with the US and the international community to protect all faith communities.
However, he insisted that characterizing Nigeria as intolerant is not reflective of its reality.
For over a decade, jihadist organizations such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province have wreaked havoc in northeastern Nigeria, primarily causing Muslim casualties according to political violence analysis from Acled.
In central Nigeria, conflicts often arise between predominantly Muslim pastoralists and farming communities, which are typically Christian, over scarce resources.
This has led to numerous violent confrontations resulting in fatalities on both sides, with human rights groups indicating there's no evidence of disproportionate targeting of Christians.
While Trump has portrayed himself as a steward of peace during his presidential tenure, he is now faced with a growing call from his domestic constituency, especially on the political right, to take action regarding Nigeria.
