The United States has delivered a severe public threat of military intervention in Nigeria. Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Secretary of War, confirmed on Saturday that his department is actively preparing for military action.
This preparation hinges on the Nigerian government’s immediate success in stopping the alleged “killing of innocent Christians.”
Hegseth’s warning was a direct consequence of a public ultimatum issued earlier by U.S. President Donald Trump. The President had used social media to accuse the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians from repeated attacks.
Trump’s Ultimatum: Aid Cut or Invasion
President Trump’s statement delivered a stark challenge to the Nigerian government:
- Aid Suspension: The U.S. would “immediately stop all aid and assistance” to Nigeria if the killings continue unchecked.
- Invasion Threat: The U.S. “may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing’, to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”
- Defense Order: “I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action.”
Trump further characterized any potential military response as “fast, vicious, and sweet.” He warned Nigeria to act decisively and “move fast!”
War Secretary Confirms Attack Readiness
Secretary Hegseth quickly confirmed the President’s public directive. He backed the order on social media, writing, “Yes sir. The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria and anywhere must end immediately.”
Hegseth’s subsequent statement clarified the administration’s readiness for intervention:
“The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”
Nigeria Rejects Claims, Seeks Dialogue
This severe threat immediately followed President Trump’s recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.” This designation related to alleged Christian genocide. Trump attributed the violence to “radical Islamists” carrying out “mass slaughter” against Christians.
President Bola Tinubu firmly rejected the designation. He asserted that the claim of religious intolerance contradicts Nigeria’s fundamental identity. Tinubu maintained that the nation is a democracy built on constitutional guarantees of religious freedom.
Despite the highly aggressive rhetoric, the Presidency confirmed that President Tinubu will soon hold a meeting with his U.S. counterpart. Tinubu’s aide, Daniel Bwala, announced the planned dialogue.
The meeting’s goal is to resolve the Christian genocide claims through direct, high-level talks. If the U.S. were to execute its threat, it would be the first hostile foreign military invasion of Nigeria in over 65 years.
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