Trump Threatens Continued Military Action Against Nigeria Amid Unrest

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning regarding potential military strikes against Nigeria, emphasizing a readiness to escalate military action if the killing of Christians continues. “I’d love to make it a one-time strike,” he stated in an interview with the New York Times. “But if they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike.”

This declaration follows a decisive military operation conducted by the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), which targeted ISIS camps in Northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day. The U.S. military affirmed that this operation was executed at the request of the Nigerian government.

During the interview, Trump acknowledged the complex dynamics of violence in the region, noting that Muslims are also being targeted. In response to comments from his Africa advisor, who highlighted that militant groups like ISIS and Boko Haram have claimed more Muslim lives than Christian, Trump asserted, “I think that Muslims are being killed also in Nigeria. But it’s mostly Christians.” This remark adds fuel to the ongoing debate regarding religious persecution within the country, a claim that the Nigerian government has consistently denied.

In a troubling development, unexploded missiles believed to be remnants of the Tomahawk warheads deployed by U.S. forces have recently surfaced. Local residents in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State—approximately 500 kilometers south of the targeted Sokoto area—discovered these munitions. The Nigeria Police Force’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit has since been dispatched to investigate and secure the site. A total of four warheads have been located, as reported by Trevor Ball, a researcher with Bellingcat, a Netherlands-based investigative journalism collective.

The ongoing violence in Nigeria continues to draw international attention, raising significant questions about the strategies employed in addressing militant threats while considering the humanitarian implications for both Christians and Muslims in the region.

As the situation evolves, the balance between military intervention and diplomatic solutions remains a focal point for both U.S. and Nigerian authorities, with the potential for future actions remaining on the table.

With tensions escalating, the ramifications of continued military actions could jeopardize regional stability and spark further conflict amidst an already fraught humanitarian landscape.

By Omer Aden
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.