Trump Says US Could Launch Air or Ground Operations in Nigeria

Former US President Donald Trump has hinted that Washington could take military action in Nigeria, saying both air and ground operations were possible in response to what he alleges are widespread killings of Christians. His comments, made aboard Air Force One, mark one of his clearest signals yet that direct US involvement is being considered.

The statement has fuelled diplomatic concerns, raising questions about how the United States might act and what such intervention would mean for relations with Nigeria. Analysts say the suggestion of potential unilateral action could complicate cooperation between both countries at a time when regional security remains fragile.

Meanwhile Nigeria has firmly dismissed Trump’s claims, with President Bola Tinubu insisting there is no genocide and emphasising that the country operates under constitutional guarantees of religious freedom. He said his administration continues to work with both Christian and Muslim leaders while tackling insecurity affecting citizens across faiths.

Tinubu added that depictions of Nigeria as religiously intolerant distort the country’s reality, stressing that peaceful coexistence is central to its national identity. He said Nigeria remains committed to protecting all communities and to maintaining constructive engagement with international partners, including the United States.