US President Donald Trump has ordered the preparation of plans for military action in Nigeria to tackle Islamist militant groups, accusing the government of not doing enough to halt the killing of Christians.
Trump did not specify which killings he was referring to, but claims of a genocide against Nigeria's Christians have been circulating in recent weeks in some right-wing circles in the US.
Various groups monitoring violence indicate no evidence suggests that Christians are disproportionately targeted compared to Muslims in Nigeria, which is home to a diverse population divided evenly between the two religions.
The African nation's government has yet to respond to Trump's military threat.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu emphasized that there is religious tolerance in the country and acknowledged that security issues impact people across religious and regional lines.
Trump openly discussed his military intentions in a social media post on Saturday, stating he had instructed the US Department of War to prepare for possible action and threatened to cut all aid to Nigeria if the government fails to intervene. He warned that if military action occurs, it would be swift and severe, likening it to responses from terrorists.
Earlier, Trump declared Nigeria a 'Country of Particular Concern' due to what he termed an 'existential threat' to its Christian population, asserting that thousands have been killed without providing specific evidence.
This designation by the US State Department allows for sanctions against countries engaged in severe violations of religious freedom. Following Trump's announcement, Tinubu affirmed his government's commitment to collaborate with the US to protect all faith communities.
Trump's claims of Nigeria as a religiously intolerant nation were disputed by the Nigerian President who attempted to reassure that the characterization does not reflect the national reality.
While jihadist groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State's West Africa Province, have terrorized northeastern Nigeria for years, reports suggest that most victims are Muslims. In central Nigeria, conflicts often arise between Muslim herders and largely Christian farming communities over resources.
The situation continues to evolve as both domestic and international perspectives on Nigeria's security challenges adapt to the unfolding narratives.
Additional reporting by Chris Ewokor in Abuja
