In an interview with The New York Times, former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that additional American military strikes could occur in Nigeria if Christians continue to be killed, despite Nigerian authorities rejecting claims of targeted Christian persecution. The comments follow the U.S. Christmas Day strike in northwest Nigeria, which the White House said targeted Daesh-affiliated militants at the request of Abuja. Nigeria’s government described the operation as a “joint strike” against terrorist elements, emphasizing that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of insurgent attacks.
Trump was asked about his Africa adviser’s assessment that Daesh and Boko Haram militants have killed more Muslims than Christians. He responded, “I think that Muslims are being killed also in Nigeria. But it’s mostly Christians.” Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country with roughly 230 million people, has long faced violence from armed groups in its north, including bombings, kidnappings, and raids. Government officials stress that the violence affects communities regardless of religion, and that claims of systematic Christian persecution are misleading.
The Christmas Day strike and Trump’s comments come amid ongoing U.S.-Nigeria security cooperation, including intelligence sharing and support for counterterrorism operations in the region. Analysts warn that framing attacks primarily in religious terms could complicate the delicate diplomatic balance between the two countries.
