President Donald Trump said Saturday he would cut off aid to Nigeria if it “continues to allow the killing of Christians.” He also ordered the Pentagon to begin planning for possible military action.
In a social media post, the president criticized what he said is the Nigerian government’s lack of protection for Christians.
Download the SAN app today to stay up-to-date with Unbiased. Straight Facts™.
Point phone camera here
“We 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. I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. 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!”
On Friday, Trump deemed Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” when it comes to religious freedom.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other Countries. We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the World!” he posted.
Nigerian president Bola Ahmed Tinubu responded on X, saying that “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.
Tinubu added Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths. He also shared a willingness to work with the United States.
According to State Department documents, Nigeria has approximately 225 million residents. Of that group, 50% practice the Muslim faith and 48% say they are Christians. The remaining 2% belong to other religious groups or no group at all.
