United States President Donald Trump has signaled that the American military could launch additional strikes in Nigeria if attacks on Christian communities continue, escalating tensions over the country's longstanding security challenges.
In a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times published on Thursday, Trump reflected on the Christmas Day airstrikes that targeted Islamic State-affiliated militants in northwest Nigeria's Sokoto State. "I'd love to make it a one-time strike," he said. "But if they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike.
"The December 25 operation, described by the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) as conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities, hit camps linked to groups like the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and emerging factions such as Lakurawa.
Trump has consistently framed such violence as primarily targeting Christians, a narrative that dates back to his warnings in late October 2025 about an "existential threat" to Christianity in Nigeria.When pressed on reports from his own Africa advisers—and independent monitors—that jihadist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP have killed more Muslims than Christians overall, Trump conceded the point but stood firm.
"I think that Muslims are being killed also in Nigeria," he replied. "But it's mostly Christians."Nigerian officials, including Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, have repeatedly rejected the religious framing, insisting the Christmas Day strikes were a "joint operation" against terrorism with "nothing to do with a particular religion."
They emphasize that victims span all faiths in a nation roughly split between Muslims in the north and Christians in the south.The president's comments come amid ongoing debates about US involvement in Africa's most populous country, where insurgency, banditry, and communal clashes have claimed thousands of lives.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had hinted at further actions following the initial strikes, and Trump's latest remarks underscore a more assertive US posture under his administration.
As diplomatic channels buzz with discussions, analysts worry that heightened rhetoric could complicate bilateral ties while doing little to address the complex roots of Nigeria's insecurity. For now, the world watches to see if the one-off strike remains just that—or marks the beginning of deeper American intervention.
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