US President Donald Trump said Saturday he has directed the Pentagon to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria, telling officials to be ready amid his criticism of what he described as large-scale violence against Christians in the West African nation.

In a social media post, Trump warned he would “immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria” and urged the government to “move fast.” He added that the United States “may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth echoed the president’s tone on social media, saying the Department of Defense — which Hegseth referred to as the “Department of War” in his post — was preparing for possible operations and insisting Nigeria must protect vulnerable communities.

Nigeria’s government strongly rejected the characterisation. President Bola Tinubu and his office said the allegation that the state tolerates systematic persecution of Christians was inaccurate. Tinubu stressed continued cooperation with the United States and the international community to protect citizens of all faiths. His press office described some foreign portrayals of the situation as exaggerated.

The violence in Nigeria is complex: attacks have targeted Christians and Muslims alike, with some incidents motivated by religious extremism and others stemming from disputes over land, resources, and communal tensions between farmers and herders. Local reports indicate that many recent victims have been Muslim residents in the country’s predominantly Muslim north.

Trump’s announcement followed his designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act, a move that signals serious concern but does not itself authorize force. The US Senate and international partners have urged careful diplomacy and fact-based assessment before any military steps.

As tensions escalate, global and regional actors are watching closely. Observers say sustained dialogue between Washington and Abuja — supported by clearer intelligence-sharing and targeted assistance — will be essential to avoid miscalculation and to protect civilians across Nigeria.