US secretary of war, has stated that his department is preparing for potential military intervention should the Nigerian government fail to halt the “killing of innocent Christians” in the country.
Hegseth’s statement came on Saturday in reaction to a Truth Social post by US President Donald Trump, who accused the Nigerian authorities of ignoring attacks on Christians.
“If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing’, to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump wrote.
“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action.
“If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians. Warning: the Nigerian government better move fast!”
Responding on X, Hegseth endorsed Trump’s message, affirming the department’s readiness.
“Yes sir. The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria — and anywhere — must end immediately,” Hegseth wrote.
“The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”
This development follows Trump’s recent decision to redesignate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over allegations of Christian persecution. He attributed the “mass slaughter” to radical Islamist groups operating in the country.
President Bola Tinubu has rejected Trump’s classification of Nigeria, maintaining that the nation remains a democracy built on constitutional rights guaranteeing freedom of religion and belief.