Trump Threatens Additional US Strikes in Nigeria Over Killings of Christians

United States President Donald Trump has warned that Washington could carry out further military strikes in Nigeria if killings of Christians persist, remarks that have reignited debate over US rhetoric and involvement in Nigeria’s security challenges.

In an interview with The New York Times published on Thursday, Trump said additional action remained an option following a US military strike on Christmas Day that targeted Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria. The US military said the operation was carried out at the request of the Nigerian government.

“I’d love to make it a one-time strike,” Trump said. “But if they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike.”

The Nigerian government has repeatedly rejected claims that Christians are being systematically persecuted, maintaining that militant violence affects both Christians and Muslims.

When asked about comments by his Africa adviser that extremist groups such as Islamic State and Boko Haram have killed more Muslims than Christians, Trump acknowledged that Muslims were also victims but insisted Christians were the primary targets. “I think that Muslims are being killed also in Nigeria,” he said. “But it’s mostly Christians.”

Trump has raised the issue several times in recent months. In late October, he warned that Christianity faced an “existential threat” in Nigeria and suggested the United States could intervene militarily if the Nigerian government failed to curb violence against Christian communities.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country with over 230 million people, has long grappled with insecurity, including insurgency, kidnappings and attacks by Islamist militant groups across several regions.

The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed that it struck terrorist camps in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day under Trump’s directive. The operation, conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities in Sokoto State, reportedly killed several Islamic State fighters.

The strike followed weeks of heightened US activity, including reports of intelligence-gathering flights over parts of Nigeria since late November.

While Nigeria’s government continues to dispute claims of targeted religious persecution, it has expressed willingness to cooperate with the United States in strengthening efforts against militant groups. Following the Christmas Day operation, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a post on X that further actions could be taken if necessary.