Trump Signals Potential for Additional US Strikes in Nigeria if Violence Persists

 

President Donald Trump

United States President Donald Trump has warned that the US could carry out further military strikes in Nigeria if attacks against Christian communities continue, signalling a possible escalation of American involvement in the West African nation’s ongoing security crisis.

In an interview published on Thursday by The New York Times, Mr Trump said that while he would prefer a single military action, continued violence against Christians could prompt “a many-time strike”, following a Christmas Day operation earlier this week. The US conducted air strikes against Islamic State-linked militants in north-west Nigeria, an action the White House stated was undertaken at the request of Nigerian authorities.

“I’d love to make it a one-time strike… but if they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike,” the President was quoted as saying.

Mr Trump’s comments have stirred international debate, centred on the rationale for the US military’s role in Nigeria. He framed the intervention as a response to what he describes as repeated killings of Christians by extremist groups, a characterisation that has drawn both support and criticism.

When pressed about recent remarks from his Africa adviser — suggesting Islamist militants such as Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram have inflicted casualties on Christians and Muslims alike — the President acknowledged that Muslims are also victims of the violence. However, he maintained that Christian communities were disproportionately affected.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has repeatedly pushed back against claims of targeted persecution of Christians, emphasising that armed groups in the country’s troubled north attack civilians regardless of faith. Abuja has instead highlighted ongoing cooperation with international partners, including the US, to address a broader insurgency affecting all communities.

Nigerian officials have described the Christmas Day strikes as part of a joint counter-terrorism effort, involving intelligence sharing and tactical coordination to confront transnational militant threats. Yet analysts caution that foreign military strikes risk complicating the already complex security landscape.

The remarks by President Trump mark a significant moment in US–Nigeria relations, touching on sensitive issues of sovereignty, security cooperation, and narratives around religious violence. As Abuja and Washington navigate these tensions, the international community has been watching closely for both developments on the ground and their wider geopolitical implications.