Several Islamic organizations mobilized in Kano State — a region with a predominantly Muslim population — to denounce Trump’s remarks. Protesters marched with placards reading: “We condemn Trump’s threat to attack Nigeria,” “There is no Christian genocide in Nigeria,” and “America wants to control our resources.”
Trump announced on Nov. 1 that he had instructed the Pentagon to prepare options for potential military operations targeting what he called “terrorist groups killing Christians” in Nigeria. He warned that the US could cut aid or “go in guns-a-blazing” if Abuja failed to act.
Nigerian authorities swiftly rejected the US president’s assertions.
“There cannot be religious persecution supported in any way, shape, or form by the government of Nigeria,” Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar said, calling the claims “impossible at any level.”
Nigeria continues to confront a complex security landscape involving Boko Haram, ISWAP, armed bandits, separatist movements such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and persistent tensions between farmers and herders driven largely by economic and social pressures.