The U.S. is preparing a new pressure campaign on Nigeria that could include sanctions and potential military involvement, senior officials said this week, citing ongoing violence against Christian communities.
Jonathan Pratt of the State Department’s Africa bureau told lawmakers the administration is developing a plan “to incentivise and compel the Nigerian government to better protect Christian communities and improve religious freedom.”
He said the proposal may involve “State and Treasury engagement on sanctions, as well as possible Department of War engagement on counterterrorism.” The discussions come after President Donald Trump warned he may authorize military action if Nigeria fails to halt what he called the “persecution of Christians.”
In a recent Truth Social post, Trump wrote that he had instructed the Department of War “to prepare for possible action,” adding that any strike would be “fast, vicious, and sweet.”
At the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine met with a Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. According to a Defense Department readout, Hegseth stressed that Nigeria must “demonstrate commitment” and take both “urgent and enduring action” to end attacks on Christians.
On Capitol Hill, Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV) said Nigerians have “an opportunity to deepen and strengthen their relationship with the United States” if they prioritise protecting vulnerable communities. While acknowledging broader violence, Moore argued that “there is a systematic, targeted campaign that’s happening here” against Christians.
Reportedly, amidst intense debate and voting, the US President, Donald J. Trump has secured 285 Congress. There are a total of 383 votes in the house. With this pool, Trump’s government is now supported to undertake a Military intervention in Nigeria. In some quarters, the military intervention geared towards curtailing acts of terrorism, has created heated rhetoric.
