US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States may carry out further military strikes in Nigeria if attacks on Christians persist, signalling that recent US action could extend beyond a single operation. He made the remarks during an interview with The New York Times, responding to questions about whether recent missile strikes marked the beginning of a broader military campaign.
Trump was referring to Christmas Day missile strikes that targeted the Islamic State terror group, following earlier threats by his administration to deploy US troops to Nigeria. He said the strikes were intended to halt the killing of Christians, amid claims by some US lawmakers that Christians were being specifically targeted in parts of the country.
In the interview published on Thursday, Trump said additional action remained an option. “I’d love to make it a one-time strike,” he said, adding that continued attacks on Christians could lead to repeated US military intervention.
The Nigerian government has strongly rejected claims of targeted killings of Christians. Ademola Oshodi, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, said Nigeria maintained full control over decision-making related to the single military operation that was carried out.
Trump’s comments contrast with earlier remarks by his senior adviser on Arab and African affairs, Massad Boulos, who said extremist groups such as Boko Haram and ISIS had killed more Muslims than Christians in Nigeria. While Trump acknowledged that Muslims were also victims of violence, he insisted that Christians remained the primary targets.