US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States may carry out additional military strikes in Nigeria if violence against Christian communities persists, following a recent joint anti-terror operation.
Trump made the statement during an interview with The New York Times published on Thursday, reacting to a US-backed military operation carried out in Nigeria on Christmas Day.
“I’d love to make it a one-time strike,” Trump said. “But if they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike.”
The US military confirmed that the Christmas Day strike was conducted with the consent and cooperation of the Nigerian government, describing it as a joint counter-terrorism operation.
Nigerian authorities also maintained that the operation targeted terrorist groups, stressing that it was not motivated by religion.
According to officials, the strike was aimed at extremist elements responsible for repeated attacks on civilians across parts of northern Nigeria.
While Trump acknowledged that Muslims are also victims of violence in Nigeria, he insisted that Christians are disproportionately targeted, a claim Nigerian officials have consistently disputed.
Nigeria’s government has repeatedly stated that insecurity in the country is driven by terrorism and criminal violence, not religious persecution, noting that both Christians and Muslims have suffered significant casualties.
Trump’s comments have reignited global debate about foreign military involvement in Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly around issues of sovereignty, religious framing, and long-term stability.
Nigeria continues to battle insurgency and banditry across several regions, with thousands killed or displaced over the years.
Whether the United States proceeds with further military strikes will depend on developments on the ground and ongoing diplomatic engagement between Washington and Abuja.
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