Trump gives Nigerian govt options: Protect Christians or prepare for military action, sanctions
In a fast evolving situation, the US President Donald Trump has reiterated his earlier admonition to the Nigerian Government to combat the menace of religious extremism and terrorism in the Country.
Only that this time, it came with a serious warning, as the US President informed its Department of War to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria against “Islamic terrorists”, while accusing the Nigerian Government of not taking serious steps to stem the alleged genocide against the Christian population in the country — an allegation the Nigerian Government had denied.
The US President also threatened to place sanctions on Nigeria by stopping all aids and assistance to the Country, if the Government does not move fast in tackling terrorism and protecting Christians.
In the new social media post, President Trump wrote: “If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, 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 atrocities.
“I am 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.”
In his response to Trump’s comment, the US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth posted the phrase “Yes sir” with a screenshot of Trump’s post attached.
He wrote further: “The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria — and anywhere — must end immediately. 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.”
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu had earlier on Saturday defended the Country’s efforts to protect religious freedom, while rejecting the claims of religious intolerance.
“The characterization of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” Tinubu said in a statement.
The Nigerian President further cited constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths.
In a separate statement by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the Ministry stated that the claims of genocide against Christian population in the Country by President Trump were not a reflection of the actual situation.
President Trump had on Friday designated Nigeria a ‘country of particular concern’ in an announcement made via a Truth Social post and shared on X (formerly Twitter), in response to allegations of genocide against Christians in Nigeria.
President Trump had written in the post: “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘country of particular concern.’
“But that is the least of it. When Christians, or any such group, are slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 Worldwide), something must be done!
“I am asking Congressman Riley Moore, together with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, to immediately look into this matter and report back to me.”
He had written that US was willing to save Nigerian Christians, as well as those of other countries from “atrocities” saying: “The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and numerous other countries. We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the World!”
Nigeria, a multinational State of approximately 240 million people, is home to the world’s largest Muslim and Christian populations. It is divided roughly in half between Muslims, who live mostly in the northern part of the country, and Christians, who live mostly in the southern part. Indigenous religions or traditional worshippers are in the minority.
We are in support of Trump comment , please US should help us to chase away these Islamic terrorist who are disturbing the country while the Govt is dosa allowing innocent people to die in dozens.