U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified his warnings to Nigeria, claiming that Christians in the country are facing an existential threat and signaling that Washington may consider intervention if the violence continues.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Trump declared, “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria.
The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening… We stand ready, willing, and able to save our great Christian population around the world!”
Trump’s remarks came alongside the designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” under U.S. law, a status reserved for nations where severe violations of religious freedom are alleged.
He instructed Congress to investigate the reported killings and indicated that the U.S. could take punitive measures including aid cuts or military action against those responsible.
“If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance… and may very well go into that country to combat the perpetrators,” Trump added.
The Nigerian government has firmly rejected the characterization of targeted attacks against Christians.
Officials emphasized that violence in Nigeria affects people across all religious and ethnic communities and that the country “does not discriminate against any religion.”
Analysts noted that the ongoing crisis involves a complex mix of Islamist insurgency, banditry, and local conflicts, cautioning against oversimplified narratives of religious persecution.
The U.S. threat has sparked concern among international observers, with questions about sovereignty, regional stability, and the potential repercussions of military intervention.
Experts also warned that such statements could further polarize communities within Nigeria, complicating efforts to address underlying security and humanitarian challenges.
As tensions mount, global attention is now focused on Nigeria’s response and whether diplomatic engagement, rather than confrontation, can avert escalation.
