President Donald Trump announced Nov. 1 that he has instructed the Department of War “to prepare for possible action” if the Nigerian government fails to put an end to the deadly Christian persecution in the country.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump said in a Nov. 1 Truth Social post at 4:43 pm.
“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action,” he said. “If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians! WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!”
The warning comes one day after Trump declared Nigeria a “country of particular concern,” stating in an Oct. 31 Truth Social message that thousands of Christians are being slaughtered there by radical Islamists. He called on Rep. Riley Moore, R-W. Va, and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., “to immediately look into this matter, and report back,” as CatholicVote previously reported.
Pete Hegseth, secretary of the Department of War, reiterated Trump’s Nov. 1 warning in a statement on X.
“The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria — and anywhere — must end immediately,” he said. “The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”
Yes sir.
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) November 1, 2025
The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria — and anywhere — must end immediately. The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities. pic.twitter.com/C0v9RHGoS1
Earlier in the day on Nov. 1, before Trump issued the warning, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, rejected the characterization of Nigeria as “religiously intolerant.”
“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” Tinubu stated in a Nov. 1 X post issued at 11:14 am. “Since 2023, our administration has maintained an open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges which affect citizens across faiths and regions.”
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” he continued. “Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.”
Tinubu said the country has “constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths,” and concluded by saying that “Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths.”
Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.
— Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT) November 1, 2025
Since 2023, our administration has maintained an open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges which affect… pic.twitter.com/mRb9IqKMFm
Moore, a Catholic, posted a statement to X at 6:45 pm Nov. 1 addressed to the Nigerian government and Tinubu.
“President Trump has provided forewarning if you do not correct the current state of inaction to stop the killing of our brothers and sisters in Christ in your country. The days of the US looking the other way are over — it will never happen on [the president of the United State’s] watch,” he wrote. “I urge you to cooperate with us in preventing this atrocity that worsens everyday. We want your people to live in peace — all of them, especially Christians.”
Moore concluded: “The President has been clear. I would not test his resolve. Many have tried and all have failed. We will not allow the gates of hell to prevail against the faithful.”
To the Government of Nigeria & @officialABAT:
— Rep. Riley M. Moore (@RepRileyMoore) November 1, 2025
President Trump has provided forewarning if you do not correct the current state of inaction to stop the killing of our brothers and sisters in Christ in your country. The days of the US looking the other way are over – it will never…