International, NEWS, Terrorism, West Africa

Nigeria: U.S. targets Jihadi groups

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Brussels 24.11.2025 President Donald Trump is promoting efforts to counter violence against Nigeria’s Christians, imposing a broader strategy since he ordered preparations for possible military action and warned that the United States could go in “guns-a-blazing” to neutralize Islamic militants.

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A State Department official said that plans involve much more than just the potential use of military force, describing an expansive approach that includes diplomatic tools, such as potential sanctions, and pausing the assistance programs and intelligence sharing with the Nigerian government.

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also met with Nigeria’s national security adviser to discuss ways to stop the ongoing violence.

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He posted photos of the meeting on social media. These efforts may support Trump’s pledge to avoid more involvement in foreign conflicts and come as the U.S. security footprint has diminished in Africa, where military partnerships have either been scaled down or canceled. American forces likely would have to be drawn from other parts of the world for any military intervention in Nigeria.

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Meanwhile President Trump has increased the pressure as Nigeria, where Christians were suffering a series of attacks on schools and churches.

“I’m really angry about it,” the president said Friday, November 21, when asked about the new violence on the “Brian Kilmeade Show” on Fox News Radio. Trump alleged that Nigeria’s government has “done nothing” and said “what’s happening in Nigeria is a disgrace.”

The Nigerian government has rejected his claims.

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Following his meeting with Nigerian national security adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Hegseth on Friday posted on social media that the Pentagon is “working aggressively with Nigeria to end the persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists.”

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“Hegseth emphasized the need for Nigeria to demonstrate commitment and take both urgent and enduring action to stop violence against Christians and conveyed the Department’s desire to work by, with, and through Nigeria to deter and degrade terrorists that threaten the United States,” the Pentagon said in a statement.

Jonathan Pratt, who leads the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, recently told lawmakers that “possible Department of War engagement” is part of the larger plan, while the issue has been discussed by the National Security Council, an arm of the White House that advises the president on national security and foreign policy.

But Pratt described a wide-ranging approach at a congressional hearing about Trump’s recent designation of Nigeria as “a country of particular concern” over religious freedom, which opens the door for sanctions.

“This would span from security to policing to economic,” he said. “We want to look at all of these tools and have a comprehensive strategy to get the best result possible.”

Congressman Riley M. Moore introduced a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives condemning the ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria and supporting President Donald J. Trump’s announcement to officially designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern. This bold decision is a clear message to the world that the United States will never turn a blind eye to our brothers and sisters in Christ who are being martyred for their faith.

This resolution draws attention to the horrific persecution Christians face across Nigeria. 50,000-100,000 Christians have been murdered since 2009. At least 7,000 Christians have been killed this year alone – an average of 35 deaths each day. 19,000 churches have been destroyed. Data from Open Doors indicate that more Christians are killed every year in Nigeria than the rest of the world combined.

This resolution supports President Trump as he seeks to utilize every tool at the United States’ disposal – diplomatic, economic, humanitarian, and security – to defend Christians in the region. The measure also reaffirms America’s commitment to defending the right of Christians to worship freely without fear of violence, persecution, or death.

Earlier this month, Congressman Moore sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the Trump Administration to take “immediate action to address the systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians in Nigeria,” highlighting the nation’s growing reputation as “the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian.”

President Trump previously designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern in 2020, but President Biden removed the designation in 2021.

Congressman Riley M. Moore issued the following statement:

“This resolution condemns the horrific persecution of Christians in Nigeria. For far too long, the world has turned a blind eye to the suffering of innocent Christians—entire villages destroyed, churches burned, pastors tortured, families torn apart. This grave suffering must end now.

“I’m calling on all my colleagues – both Republican and Democrat alike – to unite in defense of faith and freedom. The United States must make it clear that we will not tolerate the slaughter of Christians or the persecution of anyone for their belief in Jesus Christ.

“I want to thank President Trump for his bold and unwavering leadership in defense of Christians in Nigeria. His official designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern will save the lives of thousands of Christians.

“I am grateful for President Trump’s trust in me to lead this effort in the House alongside Chairman Tom Cole.”

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