Washington D.C. / Abuja — November 2, 2025 | Dalena Reporters
The U.S. Department of Defense has been directed to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria, following statements from President Donald Trump and his administration citing ongoing attacks against Christian communities in the country.
President Trump declared on social-media platform Truth Social: “If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians … we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.” He expressly instructed the “Department of War” to ready itself for “possible action,” stating any attack would be “fast, vicious, and sweet.
The directive comes amid escalating U.S. concern over Nigeria’s ability to protect religious minorities — especially Christians — from violence by Islamist groups, and follows Nigeria’s redesignation by the U.S. as a “Country of Particular Concern” for religious-freedom violations.
In response, Nigeria’s presidential adviser, Daniel Bwala, stated the country would welcome U.S. assistance so long as its sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected. “I am sure by the time these two leaders meet and sit, there would be better outcomes in our joint resolve,” he said.
Analysts note the move reflects multiple overlapping dynamics: growing pressure on Nigeria over religious-freedom issues; U.S. domestic political signalling; and broader counter-terrorism concerns in West Africa. However, caveats remain: Nigeria’s conflicts are complex, involving ethnicity, land competition, herder-farmer violence and Islamist insurgency — with victims from multiple faiths.
As this develops, the key issues to monitor include: whether formal U.S. operational planning or troop deployments follow; how Nigeria manages diplomatic engagement; the reaction of ECOWAS and the African Union; and whether religious massacres in Nigeria will be treated as human-rights or security priorities.