The United States Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has declared that Washington is preparing for possible military intervention in Nigeria over the alleged killing of Christians, reiterating an earlier warning issued by US President Donald Trump.
In a statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, Hegseth said the US Department of War was ready to act if the Nigerian government failed to curb the reported violence against Christians.
“The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria — and anywhere — must end immediately,” Hegseth wrote.
“Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities. The Department of War is preparing for action.”
His remarks came shortly after President Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, warning that the United States might suspend all forms of aid to Nigeria and take military steps if the alleged persecution of Christians continued.
Trump said:
“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,” he added.
The statements have stirred global concern, prompting reactions from Nigerian officials and international observers. The Presidency has confirmed that President Bola Tinubu is expected to meet with Trump soon to address the allegations and diplomatic tensions arising from the US leader’s comments.
Earlier, Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga dismissed claims of genocide against Christians, describing the reports as part of an “orchestrated misinformation campaign” aimed at discrediting the Tinubu administration.
Meanwhile, rights activist Omoyele Sowore has criticised Trump’s comments, warning that any form of US intervention could further destabilise the West African nation.
The unfolding situation has placed Nigeria–US relations under fresh scrutiny as global attention turns to how both governments will navigate the growing diplomatic rift.
