US President Donald Trump has ordered the military to prepare for action in Nigeria to tackle Islamist militant groups, accusing the government of failing to protect Christians.
Trump did not specify which killings he was referring to, but claims of genocide against Nigeria's Christians have been circulating in recent weeks and months in some right-wing US circles.
Groups monitoring violence say there is no evidence to support the notion that Christians are being targeted more than Muslims in Nigeria, which is roughly evenly divided between followers of the two religions.
An advisor to Nigeria's president stated that any military action against jihadist groups should be coordinated together.
Daniel Bwala remarked that Nigeria would welcome US assistance in addressing Islamist insurgents, but underscored the country's sovereignty. He added that the jihadists target people from all faiths and have killed individuals irrespective of their religious affiliations.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu claimed that there is religious tolerance in the country and noted that security challenges impact individuals across all faiths and regions.
Trump posted on social media that he has instructed the US Department of War to prepare for possible action. He warned that he might send military forces into Nigeria guns-a-blazing if the Nigerian government does not intervene, adding that aid to what he termed the now disgraced country would be cut.
There is growing concern in Nigeria about Trump's threat, with many on social media advocating for the government to enhance its fight against Islamist forces to avoid foreign military involvement.
Bwala, a Christian pastor, indicated that while Trump's message has a unique style, Nigeria does not take his words literally. He expressed hope that Trump would meet with Tinubu soon to discuss the situation.
Trump earlier declared Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern due to the existential threat to its Christian population, claiming that thousands had been killed without providing evidence. This classification enables the US to impose sanctions on countries engaging in severe violations of religious freedom.
In response, Tinubu asserted his administration's commitment to collaborating with the US and the international community to safeguard communities of all beliefs. Bwala stated that the perception of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not accurately reflect its national reality.
Jihadist groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province have caused havoc in northeast Nigeria for years, resulting in thousands of deaths, predominantly affecting Muslims, according to violence analysis groups. In central Nigeria, there are frequent disputes between mainly Muslim herders and farming groups, typically Christian, over resources, which have led to cycles of violence on both sides without evidence that Christians are disproportionately targeted.
Trump has previously emphasized his record of keeping the US out of wars, positioning himself as a peacemaker. However, he faces increasing scrutiny, especially from the political right, regarding the situation in Nigeria.
Reporting includes contributions from Chris Ewokor in Abuja.
