By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.

President Donald Trump has ordered the United States Department of Defense to “prepare for possible action” in Nigeria, saying Washington may intervene to “wipe out” Islamist extremists it accuses of attacking Christians — a move that drew swift rejection from President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In a lengthy social-media post, Mr. Trump accused Nigeria of failing to halt what he described as the “mass slaughter” of Christians and said the United States would “immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria” unless the Nigerian government acts. He warned the Nigerian authorities to “move fast,” and wrote that if the U.S. attacks “it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!”

Trump added that he had instructed the “Department of War” — a reference to the U.S. military — to prepare for possible operations. The president’s comments were shared online by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who posted a screenshot and said the U.S. would act if Nigeria did not protect Christians.

The president’s announcement followed a formal designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act, a U.S. determination that suggests systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom.

Tinubu: US Characterisation ‘Does Not Reflect Our National Reality’

President Tinubu responded on social media after the designation — and prior to Mr. Trump’s reference to military action — rejecting the U.S. characterisation.

“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,” Mr. Tinubu said, adding that Nigeria was “working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths.”

Tinubu’s press secretary also pushed back against U.S. criticism, calling claims that thousands of Christians have been slaughtered “a gross exaggeration of the Nigerian situation,” and noting that attacks in Nigeria, including those on places of worship, have affected both Christians and Muslims.

Bayo Onanuga, a presidential spokesperson, said Nigeria needs military support from the United States to counter violent extremists in some states, rather than the stigma of a special designation. “What our country requires from America is military support to fight these violent extremists in some states of our country, not designation as a nation of particular concern,” he said.

Complex Drivers of Violence

Security analysts and local reports have long emphasised that violence in Nigeria has multiple drivers. While religiously motivated attacks by violent Islamist groups have targeted Christians in some regions, other attacks stem from communal and ethnic tensions, and disputes over land and resources — incidents that often affect both Christians and Muslims. Local sources have indicated that, in some outbreaks of violence, most victims are Muslims living in northern Nigeria.

White House and Nigerian government spokespeople did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.