Trump Orders Military to Prepare Action in Nigeria

Trump did not specify which killings he was referring to, but claims of a genocide against Nigerian Christians have been circulating in some right-wing American circles in recent weeks and months.

Violence monitoring groups say there is no evidence that Christians are being killed more than Muslims in Nigeria, as violence between followers of both religions occurs in roughly equal numbers in Nigeria.

An adviser to the Nigerian president told the BBC that any military action against jihadist groups should be carried out simultaneously.

Daniel Bwala said Trump was trying to help Nigeria combat jihadist groups, but he also stated that Nigeria is a "sovereign" country.

He also said that the insurgents were not targeting people of any particular religion and had killed people of all religions, or none at all.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has stressed religious tolerance in the country and said that security challenges are affecting people of "all faiths and regions."

Trump wrote in a social media post on Saturday that he had instructed the US War Department to prepare for "possible action."

He warned that if the Nigerian government did not intervene, he could send troops into Nigeria "with guns drawn," and said that all aid to what he called a "now infamous country" would be cut off.

Trump continued: "If we attack, it will be swift, brutal, and intense, just like the terrorist thugs who attack our beloved Christians!" 

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth responded to the post, writing: "Yes, sir."

"The War Department is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian government protects Christians, or we will strike down the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrific atrocities."

Mr. Bwala, who described himself as a Christian pastor, told the BBC's NewsHour program that Trump has a "unique way of communicating" and that Nigeria is not taking his words literally.

He said, "We know that Trump's heart and intention is to help us fight insecurity." He added that he hoped Trump would meet with Tinubu to discuss the issue in the coming days.