US President Donald Trump has issued a warning that he could authorize additional airstrikes on Nigeria if attacks on Christians persist in the West African nation.
In an extensive interview with the New York Times, Trump was asked whether the strikes conducted on Christmas Day in Sokoto state—targeting Islamist militants—were part of a wider military campaign.
“I’d love to make it a one-time strike. But if they continue to kill Christians it will be a many-time strike,” Trump stated.
Nigeria’s government has consistently rejected earlier claims by Trump that it is failing to protect Christians from jihadist violence. Officials emphasized that “Muslims, Christians and those of no faith alike” face threats from violent groups.
The notion of a genocide targeting Christians in Nigeria circulated in some US right-wing circles last year. However, organisations monitoring political violence in the country note that the majority of victims of jihadist attacks are Muslims.
When questioned on this, Trump acknowledged: “I think that Muslims are being killed also in Nigeria. But it’s mostly Christians.”
Alkasim Abdulkadir, spokesperson for Nigeria’s foreign minister, did not comment directly on the prospect of further strikes. He said: “We will continue to engage constructively and work with partners, including the United States, on the basis of mutual respect, international law, and Nigeria’s sovereignty. Nigeria remains committed to protecting all citizens, Christians and Muslims alike, without discrimination.”
Nigeria, home to over 230 million people, has a near-even split between Christians—predominantly in the south—and Muslims, mostly in the north.
Living under threat: Lakurawa and the violence in northern Nigeria
For the past 15 years, Nigeria’s north-east has been the epicentre of a destructive Islamist insurgency, mainly in Borno state, carried out by jihadist groups including Boko Haram and factions aligned with the Islamic State (IS).
The country also contends with multiple other security threats, including criminal kidnapping gangs, land disputes, and separatist movements.
The Christmas Day strikes targeted two camps run by a jihadist group known as Lakurawa in Sokoto state, a largely Muslim region in north-western Nigeria near the Niger border. Official casualty figures from the strikes have not been released by either the US or Nigerian authorities.
Lakurwa, which emerged in the border region several years ago, traces its roots to areas north of Nigeria within the Sahel. Both the US and Nigerian governments stated that the militants have links to IS groups in the Sahel, although IS itself has not confirmed any affiliation.
Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar described the strikes as a “joint operation” and insisted they were not motivated by religion. He also clarified that the operation was not intended as a Christmas gesture, countering Trump’s remark that he had ordered the attack as a “Christmas present.”
The strikes reportedly had the full approval of Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu and included participation by Nigerian armed forces.
