United States President Donald Trump has warned that the U.S. military could launch additional strikes in Nigeria if attacks targeting Christians continue.
In an interview with The New York Times published Thursday, January 8, 2026, Trump signaled a more interventionist stance on Nigeria’s security challenges, citing the protection of religious minorities as a key reason.
Trump’s remarks follow a U.S. military operation on Christmas Day 2024 targeting ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria, which was conducted at the invitation of the Nigerian government. He suggested future actions could be directly tied to the frequency of religious-based violence in the country.
“I’d love to make it a one-time strike,” Trump said. “But if they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike.”
The President’s warning follows earlier comments in October 2025, when he described Christianity in Nigeria as facing an “existential threat” and suggested military intervention could be necessary if the Nigerian government failed to curb violence.
Trump acknowledged that Muslims are also victims of the insurgency, but maintained his view that Christians are the primary targets.
The remarks have reignited debates about the nature of Nigeria’s insurgency, where groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP have carried out attacks affecting both Muslim and Christian communities over the past decade.
The warning comes amid the Trump administration’s continued emphasis on “America First” foreign policy and the protection of global religious freedom.
