Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP / Getty Images
President Donald Trump has threatened possible military action in Nigeria, saying America will “do things to Nigeria that Nigeria’s not going to be happy about” over the alleged killing of Christians, per Newsweek.
On Wednesday (November 5), Trump took to his Truth Social platform to share videos warning Nigerian authorities that his administration is ready to go "guns a blazing" into the country if the government fails to stop the alleged killings.
“If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria,” Trump said in the video. “We’re going to do things to Nigeria that Nigeria’s not going to be happy about—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, horrible atrocities.”
“I’m 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,” Trump continued. “These are cherished people, these are great people—leave them alone. Warning: The Nigerian government better move fast before it’s too late. If they don’t, there’s going to be hell to pay.”
The Nigerian government has strongly denied claims that Christians are being systematically targeted because of their religion. Officials say all citizens, regardless of faith, are suffering from the extremist violence that has plagued regions of the country.
Daniel Bwala, an adviser to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, said the nation “welcomes American support” in the fight against terrorism but warned that any U.S. military intervention would violate international law.
“We recognize the passion and the zeal that President Donald Trump has demonstrated wanting to help Nigeria,” Bwala told SABC News. “And we welcome that, as long as it respects our territorial integrity.”
“But the idea of coming militarily into our soil would violate international order, would violate international convention,” he added. “It would not be good because Nigeria is not a hostile country—Nigeria is a partner with the American government in many respects.”
Last week, the Trump administration said it would be designating Nigeria as a "country of particular concern," opening the door for sanctions, aid restrictions, or other punitive measures.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson told Newsweek that Trump has “underscored that the United States stands ready, willing, and able to act."
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