On Saturday, President Donald Trump announced that he has instructed the Pentagon to start preparing for possible military intervention in Nigeria. This move comes as he intensifies his accusations against the Nigerian government for allegedly failing to curb the persecution of Christians within its borders.

President Trump also issued a stern warning, stating that he intends to “immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria” if the situation does not improve.

Via social media, Trump declared, “Should the Nigerian Government continue to permit the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will swiftly halt all aid and assistance. We may even consider direct military intervention, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to eradicate the Islamic terrorists responsible for these heinous acts.”

He further detailed his instructions, saying, “I am directing our Department of Defense to prepare for potential action. If we choose to engage, our approach will be swift, fierce, and decisive, much like the violent attacks these terrorist thugs inflict upon our BELOVED Christians!”

The violence in Nigeria is complex, with multiple motives including religiously driven attacks against both Christians and Muslims, land disputes between farmers and herders, communal tensions, secessionist movements, and ethnic confrontations. While Christians are sometimes targeted, experts affirm that the majority of victims in the predominantly Muslim north of Nigeria are, in fact, Muslims, where most of these violent incidents occur.

While Christians are among those targeted, analysts say the majority of victims of armed groups are Muslims in Nigeria’s Muslim-majority north, where most attacks occur.

Kimiebi Ebienfa, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reiterated the commitment of Nigeria to protect citizens of all religions.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria will continue to defend all citizens, irrespective of race, creed, or religion,” Ebienfa said in a statement on Saturday.

“Like America, Nigeria has no option but to celebrate the diversity that is our greatest strength.”

Nigeria was placed on the country of particular concern list by the U.S. for the first time in 2020 over what the State Department called “systematic violations of religious freedom.”

The designation, which did not single out attacks on Christians, was lifted in 2023 in what observers saw as a way to improve ties between the countries ahead of then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit.