President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning regarding potential future military interventions in West Africa. Speaking in a recent interview, the President indicated that US airstrikes in Nigeria could continue if violence against Christians persists.
This statement establishes a direct link between American military power and the President’s perception of religious persecution in the region.
Disagreement Over Casualty Demographics
The President’s comments highlight a sharp divergence from the assessment of his own national security team. An Africa adviser previously noted that insurgent groups like Boko Haram and Daesh kill more Muslims than Christians.
However, Trump pushed back against this data during his interview with The New York Times.
“I think that Muslims are being killed also in Nigeria. But it’s mostly Christians,” Trump asserted.
Christmas Day Operation Precedent
This rhetoric follows a significant military engagement over the holidays. On December 25, 2025, the US military conducted a strike in northwest Nigeria.
Washington characterized the Christmas Day operation as a targeted move against Daesh militants, executed at the specific request of Abuja. Similarly, the Nigerian government labeled the event a “joint operation” designed to neutralize “terrorists.”
Abuja Rejects Persecution Narrative
Despite the President’s rationale, Nigerian authorities maintain that citizens of all faiths face security risks. The government vehemently rejects the notion that Christians are victims of systematic persecution.
The nation of approximately 230 million people is split roughly evenly between Muslim and Christian populations. Historically, Islamic insurgents operating in the north have targeted communities indiscriminately, utilizing kidnapping and violence against both religious groups.
Consequently, officials in Abuja argue that the conflict is a security challenge rather than a targeted religious purge. Nevertheless, the threat of continued US airstrikes in Nigeria looms if the White House deems the protection of Christians insufficient.
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