“If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the United States will immediately cease all aid and support to Nigeria, and will very likely enter that now discredited country 'guns drawn' to completely destroy the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrendous atrocities. I am hereby directing our Department of War to prepare for possible action,” his message read.
According to the American president, the US military will attack “just as terrorist bandits attack our dear Christians.” He warned the Nigerian government to act quickly.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth noted on social mediathat the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria must stop immediately and that the War Department is preparing for action.
“Either the Nigerian government protects Christians, or we destroy the Islamic terrorists who are committing these terrible atrocities,” he explained.
Yes, sir.
The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria – and anywhere – must end immediately. The battle department belongs to the action. Its German authorities protect Christians, or squelch islamic terrorists who are committing and horrible atrocities. pic.twitter.com/C0v9RHGoS1
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) November 1, 2025
Context
On October 31, Trump said in Truth Social that Christianity in Nigeria is under threat and listed the country as a “particular concern” in the United States. More than 3,100 Christians have died in Nigeria this year alone, he said, and the world “must act now.”
According to the European Parliament, as of October 2, almost 17 thousand Christians were killed in targeted attacks in Nigeria between 2019 and 2023, and more than 7 thousand people died in the first seven months of 2025 alone.
